Last week the Ho Chi Minh City Vocational College of Technology II (HVCT) gave a cheerful send-off ceremony for Nguyen Thai Phuong, Wastewater Engineering Technician, and his trainer, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thanh Nam as they leave for Kazan (Russia) to participate in the 45^th WorldSkills Competition. 

Organised every two years, WorldSkills Competitions set the standards of skills excellence for young people pursuing vocational education and training worldwide. This year, the Competition brings together 1,300 competitors from 69 countries to compete in 56 skills under the slogan “Turn your passion into a career”.

For the first time ever, this year, Viet Nam will compete in Water technology. This is a fast-growing sector with a high demand for skilled workers. Wastewater engineering technicians play an increasingly important role in improving living standards for Vietnamese people and promoting Viet Nam as a clean, green and healthy destination for tourists and investors.

Dr Nguyen Thi Hang, HVCT director, joined hundreds of students and parents, teachers and staff to cheer for Phuong and his trainer. The HVCT community is excited and happy to have one of their own representing Viet Nam in the world’s most prestigious competition for vocational education and training.

After three years of training at HVCT within the GIZ-supported cooperative training programme for Wastewater Engineering Technicians based on German standards, Phuong has acquired a solid skill set that was further improved on during the last five months of intensive Worldskills preparation in Germany. Phuong is now ready to showcase his skills to the world and make Viet Nam proud.