Vietnam’s North-South high-speed railway project is expected to require a massive workforce, but experts warn that the country lacks sufficient skilled professionals.

To address this gap, the head of the Vietnam Railway Authority has proposed an $80 million state budget to improve the appeal of railway studies and attract top students to this critical sector.

The feasibility study for the high-speed railway indicates an enormous demand for workers, including approximately 500 personnel for project management and between 1,200 and 1,300 for consulting and supervision roles.

The construction sector will need the largest workforce, with estimates ranging from 220,000 to 240,000 people.

At peak times, the project will require 18,000 to 20,000 engineers, 20-30% of whom must specialize in railway infrastructure and vehicle technology.

By 2035-2036, when operations and maintenance begin, an additional 13,880 personnel will be required to manage train operations and system maintenance.

About 20% of these workers will need a university-level education, while the remainder must have vocational or technical training.

Tran Van Khai, a member of the National Assembly’s Science, Technology, and Environment Committee, highlighted serious gaps in Vietnam’s current railway training programs.

He noted that the educational system has not kept pace with industry demands, lacking specialized courses in high-speed rail technology, smart signaling, safety management, and railway infrastructure maintenance.

Many existing programs remain heavily theoretical and fail to incorporate hands-on training with railway companies.

Khai emphasized the need for a national strategy to develop a skilled workforce for the railway sector. Without a structured approach, Vietnam will struggle to train the professionals required for the high-speed railway’s successful implementation.

Tran Thien Canh, Director of the Vietnam Railway Authority, echoed these concerns, stating that Vietnam’s railway workforce is only capable of supporting the current, outdated railway system.

With major developments ahead, he stressed the need for comprehensive policies to expand training programs across multiple fields, including management, construction, and operations.

Canh proposed an $80 million investment to enhance railway education, making it more attractive to students. The funds would be allocated toward training faculty members, including sending 100 master’s and 10 doctoral candidates abroad for specialized railway education.

Additionally, 4,000 scholarships would be offered to high-achieving students in railway-related disciplines, while new laboratories and simulation equipment would be introduced to improve hands-on training.

A transportation expert noted that Vietnam needs to implement a strategic workforce development plan to meet the high-speed railway’s labor demands within a short timeframe. Without proactive government action, it will be difficult to attract and train enough skilled workers.

The expert suggested that the government establish a structured training contract system, directly assigning universities with the responsibility of producing a specified number of graduates in key railway disciplines.

Nguyen Ngoc Dong, former Deputy Minister of Transport, emphasized that proper planning is essential. He recommended a pyramid-style workforce development model, where training efforts are aligned with project milestones to ensure an optimal supply of skilled professionals at the right times.

He warned against an uncoordinated approach where multiple institutions offer railway training without a clear demand-driven strategy.

With Vietnam aiming to transform its railway infrastructure, experts agree that investing in specialized education and workforce training is crucial to ensuring the long-term success of the high-speed rail project.

N. Huyen