Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam addresses the session (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Participants at a session of the World Economic Forum on ASEAN (WEFASEAN) expected great changes in the future of jobs in ASEAN but are confidentthat many development opportunities are within the reach of regional countries.
Addressing thediscussion on the future of jobs in ASEAN on September 13, Haoliang Xu, UNDevelopment Programme Director for Asia-Pacific said that ASEAN is a regionwith large population with high ratio of young people, thus member countriesshould work harder in equipping citizens with skills and knowledge to adapt tothe future of employment.
He asserted thatgovernments and enterprises should adapt to new requirements in managingretirement age, and ensure social security to prevent shocks for labourers.
Labourers themselvesshould change the mindset about employment opportunities besides pursuinglifelong learning and sharpening their skills, he said, adding that each countryshould also design policies to support enterprises in order to better tappotential in job generation, while creating a common vision of cooperation forthe future of the ASEAN.
Vietnamese DeputyPrime Minister Vu Duc Dam said Vietnamese in general and young people inparticular are optimistic about the future of the fourth Industrial Revolution(4IR).
Seen from the angle ofa policy maker, he said the 4IR brings along many new technologies, whichcreate new employment opportunities while old jobs will be lost, particularlyin labour-intensive sectors that account for a major part in Vietnam’s economysuch as textile-garment, leather-shoes, construction, or simple work inelectronic plants.
Vietnam is facing manychallenges in human resources training in order to make labourers adapt to newjobs or meet requirements of modern technologies, especially when 38 percent ofthe Vietnamese work force work in agriculture, he said.
The question here isto seek solutions for labourers not only to acquire new skills but also create jobsfor themselves, he said, adding that farmers can improve their capacity, applyadvanced technology and access customers in the region and the world to selltheir products and services.
The deputy PM alsounderscored that life-long learning should be promoted as a way to cope withchallenges in job opportunities.
Vietnam is undertakingprojects to create public database to help everyone enhance their knowledgethrough popular communications means such as smart phone and TV, meeting demandof the new era, he said, adding that the country is also reforming its generaleducation system and vocational training.
Deputy PM Dam saidthat ASEAN members should work towards recognizing each other’s degrees, whilesharing education materials and experience.
Ian Lee, Director forAsia-Pacific of Singapore’s Adecco Group, said that parents should change theirmindset in children education, focusing more on science and technology and softskills, thus preparing them for the unpredictable changes in jobs in the future.
Vivian Lau, Presidentof JA Asia-Pacific (Hong Kong-China), said that governments of countries shouldplay a stronger role in defining preeminent jobs in the future, thusencouraging and orienting vocational training in the context of the switch to digitalmarket.-VNA
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