Country: Vietnam
Project location within country: Tra Vinh province
Duration: April 2001 - March 2006
Budget: Approximate value of services: $2.77 million
Project status: Complete
Project description
The Tra Vinh Community College (TVCC) was a unique institution in Vietnam. While there have been tremendous economic and social changes in Vietnam since the implementation of the doi moi policy of renovation, the public formal and non-formal skills training system has remained relatively unchanged from the structure that was designed to serve state owned enterprises and collectivized farms. The TVCC, however, was designed in response to the customized demands of rural communities in Tra Vinh province.
The TVCC has served as a central coordinating institution for outreach training in Tra Vinh, drastically improving service delivery efficiency. Other Vietnamese skills training institutions are focused on specific economic sectors (e.g., industry, construction, transportation, commerce, etc.). The TVCC outreach programming is unique in that its mandate is not restricted by sector but is required to meet all the skills training needs within the province’s geographic area. Significantly, the TVCC operation is financially and legally responsible to the TVPC and not the central sectoral ministries (e.g., industry, construction, etc.). As a result, the TVPC is able to coordinate extension training services and reduce duplication. For example, the TVCC agriculture, aquaculture and post-harvest learners conduct their practical field placements as extension trainers in rural districts as per the needs of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and Department of Fisheries. Training conducted by the TVCC outreach centres is coordinated with other extension training. Most importantly, outreach training in Tra Vinh is able to utilize the facilities, equipment, modularized learning resources, certification processes and technical and pedagogical skills of the TVCC at a very low marginal cost. The result has been a model for a vastly improved outreach skills training system in terms of both effectiveness and efficiency.
Goal
The goal of the project was to contribute to poverty reduction in Tra Vinh province through the development of a workforce with skills relevant to local and regional employment and self-employment opportunities. These skills included technical expertise related to agricultural production, extension, and small-scale processing. As recognized by the Tra Vinh People’s Committee (TVPC) the institution central to achieving this goal was the Tra Vinh Community College (TVCC), established under the auspices of the project.
Partners
Client: Canadian International Development Agency
Funding Agency: Canadian International Development Agency
Associated firm(s): Institut de technologie agroalimentaire de la St. Hyacinthe (ITA), Malaspina University College (MUC), Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University (MI)
Firm: Saskatchewan Polytechnic (formally SIAST)
Results
The project developed more than 30 formal training programs. Programs are based on local and regional Labor market analyses and reflect employment and self-employment opportunities in the following critical sectors: agriculture, aquaculture, post-harvest, mechanical, electrical, business administration, and garment. Programs have certification levels at six months, one year and two years. Most programs have options up to the college (three year) and the agriculture and aquaculture programs are finalizing articulation programs to allow TVCC vocational and college learners to progress to the bachelor's level.
The TVCC is now able to develop curricula in accordance with both national standards set by MOET and MOLISA and the skills requirements of local and regional employers. Management is able to develop its own strategic plan and monitor results. The teacher training unit is able to plan and delivery professional development (pedagogy and technical).
Contact us
Angela Wojcichowsky, Director, International Partnerships & ProjectsSaskatchewan Polytechnic, Saskatoon Campus, 20th St.
200 – 226 – 20th Street East | PO Box 1520,
Saskatoon SK S7K 0R6 Canada
+1-306-659-6915
angela.wojcichowsky@saskpolytech.ca