Skills development

ILO and national partners launch two key reports towards a sector skills strategy for Viet Nam’s textile and garment industry

The launch of two joint reports by the ILO and the Viet Nam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) on 28 February 2025 marks a significant milestone to identify priority skills needs, actions, and recommendations in the textile and garment sector in Viet Nam.

5 March 2025

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National partners, stakeholders, agencies, and donors presenting the jointly created reports by ILO and VITAS. Thanks to our donors for their support — National partners, sectoral stakeholders, relevant agencies with the jointly created reports by ILO and VITAS

HA NOI, Viet Nam (ILO News) – Viet Nam’s textile and garment industry has reached the crossroads, facing a critical need to boost productivity while shifting its growth model towards sustainability, green practices, and digital transformation. Addressing structural challenges in the value chain and enhancing workforce skills are crucial to drive this transition forward.

In response to these needs, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Viet Nam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) jointly developed two reports, in collaboration with the ILO tripartite partners and sectoral stakeholders in Viet Nam. These reports were developed using the ILO Skills for Trade and Economic Diversification (STED) methodology. They provide a comprehensive framework and key inputs to shape a sector skills strategy that contributes to addressing the evolving demands of the textile and garment sector in Viet Nam.

Skills development is essential for boosting productivity and ensuring high-quality standards. Investing in skills development in the textile and garment sector is not only an investment in the workforce but also an investment in the future of the industry.
Christoph Prommersberger, Deputy Head of Mission of The Kingdom of the Netherlands in Viet Nam

The first report, “Skills for Trade and Economic Diversification: Analysis of the textile and garment industry in Viet Nam”, sheds light on the achievements, challenges, opportunities, and prospects of the industry within the context of increasing international integration and participation in global value chains. It also examines skills development, its constraints and opportunities for a skilled workforce that aligns with the industry’s vision, offering essential inputs for the development of the companion document.

The second report, “Towards a sector skills strategy for Viet Nam’s textile and garment industry: Priority skills needs, actions, and recommendations for education and training system”, builds on this analysis by offering targeted, and actionable recommendations, which aim at aligning education and training system and skills development with the industry’s development strategy and vision, and addressing systematic challenges in the supply chains. The report outlines short, medium, and long-term skills development priorities, emphasizing the need for a coordinated approach that involves all sectoral stakeholders. It also highlights the importance of aligning training programmes with industry needs, fostering stronger industry and training partnerships, and ensuring that policies support inclusive and gender-responsive training practices.

The I LO brief on “Towards a sector skills strategy for the textile and garment industry in Viet Nam: Sector analysis, priority skills needs, actions, and recommendations” provides a summary of the main findings of the two reports.

The reports, resulting from joint efforts of all sectoral stakeholders, enable relevant agencies and stakeholders to develop effective skills strategies and human resource plans at national, sectoral and workplace levels. Investing in skills development benefits enterprises, workers, the economy, and fosters decent work and sustainable growth.
Ingrid Christensen, Director, ILO Country Office for Viet Nam.

Truong Van Cam, General Secretary and Vice President of VITAS expressed his appreciation for the collaboration and technical support by the ILO as well as the contributions of sectoral stakeholders through the tripartite technical reference committee during the report development. He stated, “With the recent establishment of the working group on strengthening partnerships between industry and training in textile and garment sector, led by VITAS in December 2024, we will move forwards to implementing some concrete recommendations to address shared needs and foster collaboration among employers, education and training institutions."

Funded by the Governments of Japan and the Netherlands, the ILO’s project Future of Work in Textile and Clothing: Forecasting and Developing Skills in Viet Nam to Advance Decent Work and Productivity in the Sector supports key stakeholders in Viet Nam to anticipate and address future skills needs in the textile and garment sector. Through the development of these reports, the ILO aims to support national stakeholders in shaping a human-centred future of Viet Nam’s textile and garment sector that remains competitive and sustainable in the face of evolving global trends and technological advancements.