The ceremony brought together Schaeffler’s leadership team in Vietnam, internal trainers, and the graduating apprentices. Beyond celebrating individual achievements, the event reflected the growing importance of practical, industry-led training in supporting Vietnam’s industrial development.

12 apprentices successfully completed the program and were officially hired, taking on roles within Schaeffler’s manufacturing operations, underscoring the program’s strong focus on job readiness and seamless workforce integration.

Growing demand for skilled talent in Vietnam

Vietnam’s manufacturing sector continues to expand, but the availability of skilled technical talent remains a critical challenge. According to Talentnet’s 2025 workforce survey, 45% of foreign-invested manufacturing companies cite the lack of skilled workers as a major constraint. Without timely action, Vietnam could face up to 2.1 million unfilled manufacturing jobs by 2030.

In response, workforce development has become a central pillar of the country’s industrial strategy. Under Decision 2239/QD-TTg (2021), the Vietnamese government approved the Vocational Education Development Strategy 2021-2030, placing strong emphasis on improving training quality and strengthening the supply of skilled labor to support modern manufacturing.

Against this backdrop, practical, employer-led training models are becoming increasingly critical. Programs that are closely aligned with industry needs and global standards are playing a key role, particularly in high-tech and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Schaeffler’s Apprenticeship Program: Developing job-ready talent

Launched in 2020, Schaeffler’s Apprenticeship Program is a German-standard training initiative developed in collaboration with LILAMA 2 International Technology College. The three-year program combines technical education with hands-on workplace training, contributing to Vietnam’s broader vocational skills development efforts.

Built on a dual-training model, the program integrates classroom learning with on-the-job practice. Apprentices are trained across three core departments: Segment (Machine Operator), Maintenance, and Tooling, allowing trainees to learn from qualified teachers while gaining real-world experience from industry experts at Schaeffler’s manufacturing plant.

Training covers diverse areas such as machine operations, quality assurance and problem-solving, workplace safety and lean practices, and smart manufacturing. Apprentices are also introduced to digital applications, sustainability concepts, and collaborative robot (cobot) training, guided by qualified internal trainers who bring industry-relevant expertise into the classroom and factory floor.

For graduates like Pham Quoc Cuong, who joined the first apprenticeship batch in 2020, the program offered not just technical training but also a pathway into professional manufacturing work. “The senior taught me ‘5S methodology’ and how to operate machines. And gradually, I was able to master machine operations”, Cuong shared. “Schaeffler offers a very open environment – innovative, creative, and constantly developing. It has given me many opportunities to learn and grow further”.

To date, three batches have graduated from the program, with a total of 47 apprentices. Graduates receive a nationally accredited diploma from LILAMA 2 International Technology College, a Schaeffler Graduation Certificate, and a Vietnam-Germany Joint Training Certificate aligned with German training standards.

Strengthening Vietnam’s technical future workforce

Looking ahead, Schaeffler Vietnam plans to welcome approximately 15 new apprentices in the fifth batch next year. The company will continue to invest in strengthening the program, including expanding training modules related to digitalization and automation. These efforts reflect Schaeffler’s long-term commitment to building a strong technical workforce that supports the growth of the manufacturing sector in Vietnam.

“Vietnam’s manufacturing sector is evolving quickly, and the need for well-trained technical talent has never been greater”, said Ms. Nguyen Hong Yen, Country HR Manager of Schaeffler Vietnam. “Our Apprenticeship Program is designed to bridge this gap by offering practical, German-standard training that prepares young people for modern, digitalized production. The success of this year’s graduates reinforces our long-term commitment to developing a skilled workforce for both Schaeffler and Vietnam’s industrial landscape”.