Microsoft partners with VCCI to benefit Vietnamese youth

Today, US tech giant Microsoft and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) launch M-Powered e-portal in Vietnam.

Powered by the MS public cloud and people, by partnerships with government, academia, multilateral agencies and non-profit organisations, the portal will enhance Vietnamese human capital by providing technical and soft skill learning opportunities and access to job listings.

The portal will carry Microsoft and partner-created content in Vietnamese. Online training can be supplemented by real-time mentoring for tech and soft skills.

M-Powered will help young people to strengthen their skills as well as helping businesses to find suitable employees and reducing the cost of training new people.

According to data on labour and employment in the first six months of 2016 from the General Department of Statistics, the unemployment rate was at an average 6.83 per cent and 2.27 per cent of young people (from 15 to 24 years old) in working age, respectively, in the first six months of 2016.

It can be seen that young people are much more difficult to find jobs than other citizens in working age.

Explaining for the high unemployment rate of young people, USAID conducted a baseline survey in 2015. The report indicated that the majority of graduates have not met the demands of employers because they lack necessary skills to perform one’s job.

Computing skills and English were identified as critical soft skills needed for workplace.

To address this gap, Microsoft partners with VCCI to launch M-Powered which is a part of the Microsoft YouthSpark programme- a Microsoft’s initiative to increase access for all youth to learn computer science, empowering them to achieve more for themselves, their families and their communities.

M-Powered reinforces Microsoft’s long-term commitment to the future of Vietnam in terms of developing the country's economy, encouraging innovation and helping Vietnamese people.

M-Powered will focus on the following key pillars:

Provide Computer Science/ICT and soft skills learning opportunities for youth to improve their competence for work.

Through the network of business partners of VCCI and Microsoft Vietnam, the portal will introduce and connect job opportunities from businesses to young people.

Besides, on this portal, experts and experienced staff, leaders, trainers from Microsoft, VCCI, universities, colleges, business partners, startup accelerators will provide mentoring to youths on career development, technical skills and business management knowledge, and more which will enable them to overcome issues and enter labor market easily and smoothly.

“Microsoft strives to empower Vietnam's digital generation to support the development of country's economy through our YouthSpark programme. M-Powered online portal will be an interface to connect young people with career, mentoring and learning opportunities,” said Astrid Tuminez, regional director of Legal and Corporate Affairs in Southeast Asia of Microsoft.

“The portal is built on Microsoft cloud computing platform, using Vietnamese language which is very user-friendly so that youths can easily access to useful resources provided to capture better opportunities for life.”

In Vietnam, Microsoft collaborates with local NGOs such as VCCI, VIETNET-ICT, CED and Kenan Institute Asia to implement YouthSpark programme.

YouthSpark Vietnam has achieved impressive outcomes during three years: More than 100,000 Vietnamese young people were trained on Computer Science-ICT, soft skills and attended variety of forums, workshops, career days, internship organised by Microsoft and partners to help them meet the demand of modern learning and working environment.

“I have graduated for more than six months and I have applied for jobs many times but still could not find a job due to lack of relevant skills.

“Then, I was introduced to attend some free training workshops hosted by VCCI and Microsoft. Thanks to the training, I have improved my ability to use technology and computer to work.

“The Project also created a chance for me to improve my experience and skills in real workplace via internship at enterprises. Thanks to that, I have matriculated and get to work at MediaMart.

“These programmes and network of Microsoft and partners have inspired and supported young people like me not just in developing technical and soft skills but also in real life working experience to obtain employment and meet job satisfaction,” said Trinh Viet Anh, graduate from Hanoi Vocational College of High Technology.

“With continuous updated information on M-powered, the portal is expected to be a useful and effective channel for both employers and job seekers,” a VCCI representative shared.

“According to the Vietnamese government, the goal is to have one million IT workers by 2020. As a technology leader and commitment to support Vietnam, Microsoft has been cooperating with local partners to provide a variety of IT courses and technology resources to thousands of young people.

“M-Powered online portal will serve as the bridge for the youth to make their dreams come true,” said Vu Minh Tri, CEO of Microsoft Vietnam.

Microsoft also calls for collaboration from corporations, businesses, experts to support Vietnamese youth having more opportunities of jobs, internships, consultants, via M-Powered to make the e-portal become a truly useful platform in Vietnam.

M-Powered e-portal can be accessed at youthvietnam.vn or thanhnienvietnam.net.vn.