From April 18^th to 20^th, 2019, the short-term training course on “Basic operation of drainage system” was organized at Thu Dau Mot Wastewater Treatment Plant subsidiary of Binh Duong Water and Environment Joint Stock Company (BIWASE).

Participating in the course, there are 35 trainees who are technical staff responsible for managing, operating and maintaining the drainage network in Binh Duong and Dong Thap provinces. Trainers of the course are experienced engineers from Can Tho Water Supply and Sewerage Joint Stock Company and Ho Chi Minh Urban Drainage Company Limited. These trainers have been well-trained by the Vietnamese-German Programme Reform of TVET in Viet Nam and fulfill German competency standards.

The course focuses on strengthening the basic knowledge of network operation, with particular emphasis on the process and work safety in the process of inspection, maintenance, sanitation, and repair of sewer systems. This is an important factor to help reduce potential risks that drainage technicians face in their daily work. The course is also an opportunity for companies to exchange knowledge and experience on how to handle real situations in localities. Thereby, the course participants accumulate valuable experience to apply in practical operation, management and maintenance of the existing drainage system.

Representing the two companies, Mr. Le Nhan, Director of BIWASE’s Human Resource Training and Development Centre, said: “Compared to water supply, drainage and wastewater treatment is a very new sector which began to be formed in the last few years. To ensure adequate collection of wastewaters to newly built treatment plants, companies need a large technical staff to operate the drainage network. So, this is a very practical course for companies.”

With the role of organizing the course, Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association affirmed that it is always willing to accompany its member companies in training activities to improve the quality of human resources. By the end of 2018, the Vietnamese-German Programme Reform of TVET in Viet Nam, the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association has organized 10 short-term training courses for nearly 300 operators and technicians nationwide.

The activity took place in the field of activity “TVET for a Skilled Workforce in the Wastewater Sector” as part of the Vietnamese-German Programme Reform of TVET in Viet Nam. The programme is financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in cooperation with the Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA).