Railway industry prioritizes workforce training from 2027

Vietnam National Railway Group plans to launch a major workforce training program in early 2027 to prepare personnel for the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong high-speed railway.

At a meeting on November 6 between Vietnam National Railway Group, China's Liuzhou Railway Vocational Technical College and Vietnam's Railway College, Deputy General Director Hoang Nang Khang said the project would require 3,840 operations and maintenance (O&M) personnel.

The scale of the training program means the railway industry must begin preparations well in advance and mobilize educational institutions both domestically and internationally.

Starting in early 2027, the group expects to organize training for key positions, including train drivers, train dispatchers, maintenance technicians and repair personnel.

According to Khang, these roles require lengthy training, advanced technical expertise and a thorough understanding of operational safety.

Workforce preparation must therefore begin before the railway enters commercial operation.

In addition to frontline operating personnel, the railway industry will need to train middle-management staff capable of organizing, managing and overseeing a modern railway system.

Vietnam National Railway Group praised the facilities, practical training equipment and educational capabilities of Liuzhou Railway Vocational Technical College.

The two sides are considering a combined training model under which theoretical instruction would take place at Vietnam's Railway College with the participation of Chinese experts, while practical training would be conducted at the Chinese institution's facilities.

The group also plans to send personnel to China to study curriculum development methods and jointly design suitable training courses, particularly for middle-management positions.

Khang emphasized that training programs must closely reflect the technologies and rolling stock used in each railway project.

Trainees will need comprehensive knowledge of control systems, signaling technology, locomotive and carriage operations, and specialized railway equipment.

Training for drivers and dispatchers, in particular, must include extensive practical instruction.

This will help trainees master operational procedures, comply with safety regulations and respond effectively to unexpected situations during railway operations.

Vietnam aims to develop independent railway training capabilities

At the meeting, Duong Tri, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Liuzhou Railway Vocational Technical College, noted that Vietnam is accelerating several standard-gauge railway projects, including the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong line.

These developments are creating urgent demand for highly qualified technical personnel capable of operating, maintaining and repairing modern railway systems.

The Chinese institution expressed its willingness to cooperate with Vietnam National Railway Group and Railway College in training personnel across multiple disciplines.

These include railway transportation, locomotive engineering, railway infrastructure, communications, signaling and other railway technologies.

Truong Trong Vuong, Principal of Vietnam's Railway College, said the institution is preparing personnel for the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong project through two main approaches.

The first involves providing additional training and updated technical knowledge to existing railway employees, particularly train drivers and dispatchers.

The second focuses on developing new training programs in specialized fields such as railway signaling, communications and infrastructure engineering.

Railway College lecturers will work alongside Chinese experts in delivering the courses, gradually acquiring the expertise needed to independently manage and develop training programs.

The long-term objective is to enable Vietnamese educational institutions to supply qualified personnel for new railway projects without relying entirely on training curricula transferred from overseas.

Vu Diep