The question of whether countries should allocate money to vocational training or redirect it toward university education has sparked considerable debate. While some argue that investing financial subsidies in vocational training could provide more value than investing in higher education, I firmly disagree with this perspective.
On the one hand, it is undeniable that allocating funds to advanced education is extremely important in societies, which could bring substantial benefits to the development of countries. Firstly, tertiary education can provide significant specialised knowledge such as business administration, marketing, and financial management, which paves the way for developing essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and risk management. These skills are required for high-level positions in societies, with the belief that they are outstanding individuals who will lead not only the future generation but also ensure a prosperous future for nations. For example, thanks to investing funds from the Vietnamese government in excellent individuals at universities 20 years ago, many outstanding managers and politicians have successfully implemented policies that attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to drive the country’s development to align with global trends. A notable example is Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who successfully persuaded NVIDIA to invest in Vietnam by establishing a chip and AI company. Secondly, some specialised professions can only be trained at universities to ensure a high level of expertise, such as doctors. Therefore, allocating financial packages to support infrastructures, technologies, and human resources could bring long-term benefits for societies. As a result, both young and old doctors have more chances to develop more innovative ideas to cure more diseases in the near future.
On the other hand, it is clear that vocational training plays a crucial role in providing labour workforce for some majors. These classes can help people acquire practical skills and hands-on experiences, which the market is constantly demanding. For example, some fields such as information technology, aviation, and automotive engineering are constantly hiring for many positions. As a result, societies can reduce the unemployment rate significantly. Besides that, vocational programs can facilitate candidates to work immediately after completing the programs without wasting much time on theoretical subjects. For instance, after finishing 1 year in the electrician field, students in Vietnam can be hired in industrial parks, securing a decent salary and welfare.
In conclusion, it is true that the role of vocational training in our societies is extremely essential, higher education also should not be overlooked. Therefore, a balanced approach should be implemented to gain both benefits from both programs, which could bring long-term advantages for countries.