The Study on Awareness, Ability and Policy Suggestions to Meet Job Requirements of the Digital Transformation

Abstract

The discourse that revolves around the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Vietnam has witnessed participation from policy makers, business circles, and academics. This study sought to explore the future of Vietnamese workforce’s awareness and competencies in meeting labour market needs in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. To capture these awareness and competencies, the study used the mixed method. Questionnaires were initially conducted with 800 third- and fourth-year students who were studying in four fields: social sciences and humanities, science and technology, natural sciences, and finance and banking in public and private universities in Ho Chi Minh City. Thirty lecturers and managers from private and state-owned enterprises were then invited to participate in interviews to gain a multidimensional perspective. Analyses showed the large proportion of students had heard of the Fourth Industrial Revolution primarily from the media, which led to a difference in both awareness and behaviour towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The survey students had a positive outlook on employment trends, but felt doubtful and diffident about job-seeking after graduation. From a multidimensional perspective, the study also pointed out obsolete knowledge, traditional teaching, and the shortage of connection between universities and enterprises. The present study provided significant implications for higher educational institutions in the development of future training programmes to prepare the future workforce for the digital economy.