Vocational schools across the country are striving to provide job training for at least 1.07 million workers between now and 2004 with an emphasis on rural labourers, guest workers and ethnic minority youths in a bid to bridge the serious shortage of trained and skilled workers.

Training will include three subjects: law, physical training and their chosen careers.

The Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs has set up 21 new vocational schools and plans to increase the figure to 61 nationwide in 2004.

Since 2002, Ha Noi has enrolled nearly 55,000 people in 180 training centres, with half of them taking part in courses on mechanical engineering, information technology, tailoring, and machinery operators.

According to the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, 40 percent of the labour workforce in the country have not yet undergone any job training. The country currently has 204 vocational schools in addition to 150 training centres that offer courses in 60 trades.