Identifying the quality of TVET teaching staff and in-company trainers as one of the key factors determining success of vocational education and training, the Field of Activity 3: TVET for Skilled Workers in the Wastewater Sector in collaboration with Ho Chi Minh College for Technology II (HVCT) and Dresden Sewage (SEDD), a German sewage company, conducted a training course “Didactic instruction for in-company training in the wastewater sector – Part 1” from 26/03 to 28/03/2018.

The course was held at HVCT and conducted by Mr. Willy Lenk, a professional in-company trainer from SEDD. Participants of the course were 3 HVCT teachers and 9 new in-company trainers from sewage companies of Thai Nguyen, Hai Phong, Hue, Da Nang, Binh Duong.

This intensive three-day course provided Vietnamese new trainers with basic knowledge of in-company technical and vocational training, how to plan and conduct in-company training sessions and instruction methods. During the training, the participants were divided into groups and practiced principles and methods of training based on the occupational-specific topic they selected. Throughout the course, trainer and participants discussed the demand of skilled labour in business sector, difficulties and challenges posed by training young workers, technicians and trainees.

Many wastewater companies in Vietnam want to organize technical and vocational in-company training. Investing in training-on-the-job is cost-effective and easy to administer. Trainers who are internal staff can identify the exact skills and knowledge that trainees need to succeed in their jobs. Companies also have the ability to tailor each and every aspect of the training process as well as customize the lessons according to the company’s own need.

Given that good quality of in-company trainers is crucial to achieve the training goal of any company, Mr Willy Lenk shared: “An important lens that is often employed when looking at the quality of in-company training is the professionalism of trainers. In-company trainers should have a competency profile as a combination of practical and theoretical knowledge and have the ability to perform a well-qualified training. We do hope that this course will equip the trainers with the necessary pedagogical skills to conduct effective and proactive training-on-the-job.”

“At the beginning of the technical training at the company, I struggled to find the pedagogical methods that can transfer the knowledge and skills effectively to workers and technicians. It was daunting to determine which methods to use and how to use them. The course removed my confusion and completely convinced me. It provides a simple, comprehensive and detailed set of teaching methods that create a positive learning environment. This encourages trainees to take an active role in learning.” Mr. Duong Nhat Quang, Vice Director of Lang Co Urban Environment, a subsidiary of Hue Urban Environment and Public Works State Company said.

The course introduced training methods that involve two-way communications which place trainees as center of learning process. A great trainer should make learning fun and inspire trainees to reach their full potential. Practice makes perfect and a hands-on experience will help trainees be able to interpret, reflect on and apply the complexity of knowledge in theory and in practice-oriented way. The knowledge and skills they acquire will soon become their own occupational abilities.