Vocational training for the disabled

Despite the attention of all authorities and vocational training institutions, vocational training and employment for people with disabilities have failed to yield positive results. For example, Ho Chi Minh City has about 15,000 disabled people of working age (accounting for one percent of the city’s population), but less than 40 percent have found a job.

According to survey results from Hai Phong, Phu Tho, Da Nang and Ba Ria-Vung Tau, during the 2012-2014 period, approximately 1,000 disabled people were supported in terms of vocational training and job creation. That meant every province annually supported just 30-50 disabled people, which were negligible numbers compared with the total number of people with disabilities in these provinces.

There are several reasons for these poor results, including the health and low skill levels of the disabled and low levels of incentives for companies involved in vocational training for the disabled.

At the workshop to review the results from a survey on vocational training linked to employment for people with disabilities, organized by the General Department of Vocational Training under the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs in collaboration with the Office of the International Labor Organization (ILO) in Hanoi, representatives for various departments of labor, invalids and social affairs and vocational training institutions and some disabled people agreed that the society and communities should pay more attention to support activities for the disabled and upgrading vocational training centers for the disabled in terms of equipment.

In addition, there should be program to help disabled people easily integrate into the local community and find employment. Disabled people need to be regarded as potential employees. Recruiting people with disabilities should not be regarded as charity work as they are recruited because they meet job requirements. Therefore, they should receive equality of treatment. Authorities at all levels, related sectors and companies and people with disabilities themselves should link together for better improving living standards of disabled people.

According to Deputy General Director of the General Department of Vocational Training Mai Thuy Nga, improved related mechanisms and policies, the participation of related sectors, authorities, vocational training institutions and disabled people are needed for achieving the goal of supporting people with disabilities in terms of vocational training and finding an employment. Getting vocational training, employment, and earning incomes are legitimate aspirations for people with disabilities. Surveys have also revealed vocational training and employment for people with disabilities is essential.

Disabled people should be trained to meet the requirements of employers; however, the government should offer more incentives for companies involved in training and recruiting workers with disabilities. In addition, businesses should be encouraged to recruit workers with disabilities in order to help them find a job, have a stable income and feel confident to integrate into the community.

Phuong Tam