INVOLVEMENT OF THE BUSINESS SECTOR IN TVET – EXPERIENCE OF WASTEWATER SECTOR IN VIETNAM Speaker: Ass. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Tien Vice Chairman of Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association

Introduction of VWSA / Benefits for associations to become involved in cooperative training The Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association (VWSA) is a social and occupational organization in the water supply, sewerage and environment sectors. Over 300 collective members include water supply and sewerage utilities, consultancies, design and construction companies, manufactures and trades of water equipment, universities and institutions relating to the water sector. We operate nationwide through branches and units under the VWSA. We are the information hub in the water sector and a trusted partner of enterprises, state agencies and international organizations Cooperation with international organizations: WB, ADB, JICA, especially with German organizations: DEVIWAS and GIZ-TVET, GIZ-WMP Potential benefits for VWSA to become involved in cooperative training: VWSA as water sector’s representative and its member companies can raise the voice regarding their realistic requirements on professional competencies and skills

Contributions of VWSA in cooperative training Survey on the training needs for capacity building Develop the occupational standard together with member companies, develop the training programmes based on standard, get feedback from enterprises to unify the training programmes meeting units’ requirements, coordinate the enterprises for assessment process Organize training classes, consult participants about the effectiveness of training courses in the organization process, and grant certificates to the participants upon completion of the training Support updating the legal knowledge related to units’ production and business Create linkages between units in the same field of operation (water supply - water supply, sewerage - sewerage) through the forms of double coupling, triple coupling (partnerships)

Advantage of business sector’s participation in TVET Member companies can directly participate in the training process of their future technical workforce. After the graduation of the trainees, they are privileged to recruit the best graduates who will contribute to the company effectively Improve management skills, expertise, professional skills Increase the initiative, confidence in managing and executing assigned fields Contribute to improving the production and business efficiency of the unit The added value for TVET authority: An active participation of the business sector in TVET leads to the better acceptance of occupational standards, training programmes and training results (competence of trained workforce)