The Q2 Labor Bulletin released by MOLISA showed that 1.088 million people at working age had stayed unemployed by that time, an increase of 16,400 people in comparison with Q1.
Of these, 418,200 trained workers had been unemployed, accounting for 40 percent, while 191,300 workers had bachelor’s degree or higher education levels, 94,800 workers finished junior colleges and 59,100 finished vocational schools.

The oversupply of graduates with bachelor’s degrees has led to a high unemployment rate of university graduates. Every year, Vietnam needs 20,000 people with bachelor’s degrees while universities produce 400,000.

By 2015, Vietnam had nearly 500 universities and junior colleges, while in 2007-2013, there were only 133 universities and junior colleges.

Nguyen Van Huynh, vice rector of the Da Nang Economics College, commented that many students and their parents still prefer going to university instead of vocational school.

Despite the low training quality of many universities and the repeated warning about the high unemployment rate, students still prefer to follow higher education.

Despite the low training quality of many universities and the repeated warning about the high unemployment rate, students still prefer to follow higher education.

Meanwhile, employers emphasize the low quality of bachelor’s degree graduates as the major reason behind the unemployment. Seventy percent of new graduates don’t have necessary skills of communication, teamwork and discipline. They especially lack foreign language skills.

A survey of 18 universities in Vietnam found that first-year students had a 220-245 score out of 990 TOEIC score. They need 360 teaching hours (480 periods) to obtain a 450-500 score, the minimum score required by employers.

Meanwhile, according to the University Education Department, universities provide 225 English periods to students, which is not long enough for students to practice all four skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Students’ attitude to study is also cited as a reason for the low quality of university graduates. 

A press agency which conducted a mini survey on students’ attitude to studies reported that 30 percent of polled students have an active attitude, while 60 percent learn lessons just to pass exams.

A librarian at a big university in Hanoi said only about 10 students go to library to borrow books every day, while many other students don’t return borrowed books.

In related news, Universum, a personnel consultancy firm, has released a report on the salaries new university graduates expect. Vietnamese students are at the bottom of the list with expected salaries of $6,041 per year for economics graduates and $6,397 per year for technical studies.

 

Thanh Mai