Today, in Ha Noi, Mr Cao Lai Quang, President of the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association (VWSA) and Dr Horst Sommer, Programme Director of the “Programme Reform of Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Viet Nam” (TVET Programme) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on capacity development between VWSA and TVET Programme. Moreover, the Viet Nam Water Training Center (VWTC) was launched in this event. 60 representatives from the Ministry of Construction, the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training (Ministry of Labour – Invalids & Social Affairs), representatives of many water supply and drainage companies in 13 provinces from the North to the South, related research institutes, universities and vocational colleges in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, representatives from the press and media, as well as international development agencies took part in the ceremony.

In order to ensure that vocational training meets the needs of enterprises, the close cooperation with the business sector in vocational training is a key factor. The VWSA and the TVET Programme collaborate closely so that VWSA, being the representative of enterprises in the wastewater sector, plays a leading role in the new cooperative training programme for “Sewage Engineering Technicians”. The association fulfills the following functions: (1) to create cooperation between the member companies and TVET institutes in order to provide in-company training for the trainees to meet the business sector’s long-term needs; (2) to provide short-term training for technical workers working in the field of wastewater to meet the companies’ immediate needs for a skilled workforce; (3) to represent the business sector in development, review, and update of the occupational standard; and (4) to develop, implement, and recognize occupational examinations oriented to national and international standards. So far, VWSA is the only sector association in Southeast Asia to successfully fulfill these functions in the first stage.

On this occasion, Dr Horst Sommer – the Programme Director of TVET was rewarded the Order of Merit by VWSA President for recognising his distinguished support for Viet Nam’s water supply and sewerage during many years.

The Viet Nam Water Training Center (VWTC) was established as the focal point of VWSA in collaboration of training for a skilled workforce in the wastewater sector, effectively implementing VWSA’s related training functions, and promoting VWSA as the first sector association in Southeast Asia playing a leading role in development and recognition of occupational standard, selection and training of in-company trainers as well as co-examination and certification.