A Common Criteria Needed in Developing ICT Human Resource

 

The programme targets a breakthrough in training ICT human resources before 2010 and by 2015, aiming to have 80 per cent of ICT graduates capable of satisfying global working environment requirements. 

 

First of all, the quantity and quality of ICT lecturers in universities, colleges and vocational schools will be increased. By 2015, the lecturer/student ratio will be 1/15. By 2010, ICT will be taught in all high schools, 30 per cent of secondary schools and 20 per cent of primary schools.

 

According to ICT enterprises and educators, for a breakthrough in ICT human resources development by 2010 it is essential to build an IT skills standards. Mr Than Trong Phuc, General Director of Intel Vietnam, explained that with standards, recruiters can use quantifiable criteria to select employees. “Because of the absence of standards, Intel now only recruits graduates from State-owned schools,” Phuc said, adding that school training should be based on four skills, namely communication, creativity, teamwork and analysis. At the same time, schools also need to train managers. Intel’s chip testing and assembly plant in Ho Chi Minh City will need 4,000 employees after it starts operation. Intel plans to recruit an additional 100 staff this year and 500 staff in 2008, including 250 technicians and 135 engineers.

 

According to experts, trainers should introduce IT standards with minimum job criteria. The standard is a basis for training units to prepare curricula and companies to recruit employees. Mr Dang Van Chuyet, dean of IT Department of Hanoi Technology University, said the standard will list IT abilities that any employee must have. At the same time, it is also a foundation on which training schools can build curricula. According to Chuyet, during construction of this standard, compilers should consult expert advice from IT companies, training units, training management units and other widely accepted standards in the world. Chuyet said training management units can use the standard as reference to evaluate training programmes. Meanwhile, enterprises can use this standard to recruit and rank employees.

 

At present, only VITEC employs a certified IT engineer skills set to test its IT engineers. However, a representative from VITEC said engineers successful in the test, who will be regionally recognised, account for only a small proportion of total students.

 

Apart from building IT skills standards, the training method should be diversified, especially with practical training under cooperation between training units and enterprises for mutual benefit. (Investment)