A training program was held from September to November and officially wrapped up on December 2 to provide additional training to Vietnamese IT workers and connect IT talent with South Korean ICT enterprises in Vietnam.

In addition to professional knowledge in the IT sector, trainees also had the chance to be involved in actual projects, understand South Korean culture, and finish apprenticeships at South Korean companies.

Chairman of the Vietnam Digital Communications Association Nguyen Minh Hong said that in recent years the presence of foreign investors, especially South Korean groups, companies, and enterprises, has brought about numerous opportunities for Vietnamese IT workers.

Local firms have also applied IT solutions during their own transition in line with the government’s digitization cause.

As a result, Mr. Hong said, this has created a shortage of IT personnel and the supply of human resources has not caught up with the actual demand and development of the IT sector.

According to the Vietnam IT Market Report 2022, published by TopDev, Vietnam faces a shortage of 150,000 IT workers while the real market demands 530,000.

In 2021, 450,000 IT workers were needed but there were only 430,000 IT programmers available.

Such a shortage originates from the gap between the qualifications of programmers and the requirements of recruiters. Of note, only 35 per cent of the 57,000 students studying IT can meet the requirements of enterprises, while the remainder must undergo further training.

The training program therefore helps improve qualifications, creates job opportunities, and guides post-graduate career orientation for Vietnamese students.

Mr. Jeon Jun Soo from the Korean National IT Industry Promotion Agency, said Vietnam and South Korea have maintained a strong diplomatic relationship over the past 30 years. Both sides expect to increase two-way trade to $100 billion in 2023.

To that end, both must build a stronger cooperative relationship in spearhead industries, as seen in Industry 4.0, he said, adding that innovation and technical transition start with IT talent.