In the morning of May 21, 2020, in Hanoi, the General Department of Vocational Education held a working group meeting to implement the Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs), mutual recognition of skills (MRS), development declare national qualification framework (VQF) in vocational education and make reference to ASEAN qualification framework (AQRF). 

Delegators attending the meeting

Attending and chairing the meeting were Dr. Truong Anh Dung, Deputy General Director of General Department of Vocational Education, leaders of Departments and units under the General Department; representatives of the Department of Employment, Foreign Labor Administration, Vietnam Association of Vocational Education and Social Work, Vietnam Tourism Association, Department of Policy Research and Analysis, Association of Universities and working group members.

The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) was established on December 31, 2015 to bring many advantages and challenges to ASEAN member countries. In which freedom of skilled labor mobility is one of many noticeable advantages and the goal of the ASEAN Economic Community. However, differences in culture, institutions, economy, science and technology level, foreign language level, the clear nature of the standards in training, practicing licenses, proof of qualifications, demonstrate the competence and experience of labor in member countries are the factors that create challenges and barriers to labor mobility. To overcome that, Cong   ASEAN Economic Council has agreed to conclude mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) on labor   High-level skills in 8 industry sectors including engineering services, architects, cartographic surveying, doctors, nursing, accounting and tourism. For workers with medium and low qualifications to facilitate labor mobility, Plus   ASEAN Economic Council has a mutual recognition agreement on skills (MRS).

Overall, the MRAs, MRS mutual recognition agreements create a fair recognition of training qualifications,   skills of workers when migrating to other intra-ASEAN countries including Vietnamese workers in a number of occupations and fields selected through the reference process of ASEAN Qualifications Reference Frame (AQRF) of ASEAN member states. Along with the recognition of qualifications and skills, Vietnamese workers will receive adequate salaries and income when participating in the regional labor market, having the opportunity to advance in their jobs and improve their qualifications. professional and occupational skills.

Currently, the Vietnamese Government has approved and issued the Vietnam National Qualifications Framework in Decision No. 1982 / QD-TTg dated October 18, 2016, including 8 levels of education (VQF), in which education Occupation includes levels from level 1 to level 5. In addition to the national qualification framework, a framework of skill levels of 5 levels under the Employment Law has also been issued. The implementation of VQF and reference to the ASEAN Qualifications Framework has some advantages and great benefits for Vietnamese workers. VQF is built in 8 levels compatible and in line with the European level framework (EQF) and the ASEAN Level Reference Framework. With clear goals at each level of education, employees have the opportunity to learn through the higher levels, have the opportunity to learn for life, be recognized for qualifications and receive appropriate remuneration. ; as a basis for businesses to recruit and vocational training institutions to develop training programs.

However, the implementation of VQF and AQRF still faces a number of difficulties and shortcomings such as: Currently, there is no specific plan to implement VQF for levels of vocational education; no national committee has been set up to make reference to the ASEAN Qualifications Framework; The system of vocational education quality assurance needs to be completed; close involvement of businesses, employers and stakeholders; The relevant implementing agencies do not fully understand AQRF and what the implementation of VQF means to the implementation of AQRF.

At the meeting, delegates shared a lot of experiences and expectations on the implementation of agreements of the ASEAN community, the implementation of VQF and AQRF such as: Sharing regional information and experiences from other countries as well as real initiatives. currently in 2020; formulating a plan to implement agreements, national qualification framework, ASEAN qualification reference framework; Provide information related to foreign workers, labor movement issues, plan development, reference reports; Providing information related to management of diplomas, qualifications, vocational education training programs; Provide information related to national occupational skill standards;

Some opinions of the delegates said that at present, there is a very good basis that the Vietnamese national qualification framework and vocational skill qualification framework to conduct mutual recognition of qualification and skills; Need to understand the benefits when participating in the agreement; Education and training platforms, infrastructure differences among countries, foreign language skills, competencies and skills   occupations of labor are difficulties in labor movement; In order to implement well VQF and AQRF, it is necessary to have close cooperation between the concerned ministries, the participation of businesses, employers, training establishments; build the relationship of agreement, finished the method first, ...

Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Truong Anh Dung, Deputy General Director of the General Department of Vocational Education thanked for the contribution and sharing of opinions of delegates and experts at the meeting. The Deputy General Director said that 2020 is the year Vietnam will assume the role of ASEAN chair, so the contents related to the implementation of the above common ASEAN agreements should be included in the general content and program of ASEAN. The ASEAN Community has made a statement on the training of human resources for free movement, and it is necessary to set up a council of member countries to actively implement the ASEAN qualification framework. This is an important content that requires the implementation and implementation of Vietnam's national qualifications framework. In the immediate future, it is necessary to step up the implementation of the national qualification framework in vocational education; implement mutual recognition and reference to the ASEAN Reference Framework. In the coming time, it is necessary to involve experts in specialized fields such as Health, Tourism, etc. to carry out specific contents in the implementation of the national qualification framework and reference frame ASEAN degree.