Workers go back to school when the market is strictly screening
The labor market is screening strongly, many people, despite having stabilized their jobs for many years, still proactively return to school, participate in training courses...
No longer stable in the long term
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Chi - an accountant at a company specializing in importing food and pharmaceuticals from Japan to Vietnam - said that in 2025 alone, her whole company has laid off 13 employees, and her department alone has 3 people in this category. All personnel who are laid off are part-time, with qualifications that do not meet new requirements of the job or the job is automated.
At the age of 41, after 9 years of being attached to the company and her current job, Ms. Chi said "never seen the word "stable job" be as unstable as it is now".
Previously, a job that was held for 5-10 years was often considered stable. However, the current reality shows that stability is becoming fragile. Many businesses restructure, cut staff, automate production lines, and strongly transform digitally. Positions that do not meet new requirements are easily subject to reduced working hours, change jobs or termination of contracts. I decided to study more in the field of work I was doing so as not to be eliminated, said Ms. Chi.
Not only Ms. Chi, many workers have thought that many years of experience are a solid "shield", but when businesses change technology and processes, old experience becomes a barrier if not updated. Realizing this, many workers choose to continue studying while still having a job instead of waiting until they lose their job to struggle to find a new direction.
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Huy - deputy head of the training department of a vocational college in Cau Giay ward (Hanoi) - said that the trend of workers returning to studying occurs in many industry groups. In particular, for the group of technical workers, many people register for classes to improve their skills and learn to operate new machines. The group of office workers registered to study digital skills, data analysis, and foreign languages. Even many middle-aged workers boldly learn a new job to expand their employment opportunities.
"The common point of this group of workers is the clear awareness of the risk of being replaced if they do not upgrade themselves. When businesses invest in technology and prioritize multi-skill workers, people who can only do one single task are easily eliminated from the game. Learning not only helps workers maintain their current positions, but also increases the ability to move internally, avoiding falling into a passive position when businesses restructure, said Mr. Huy.
Skills are the "asset" of workers
Although recognizing the importance of learning, this path is not easy. Most workers who are both studying and working face double pressure in terms of time, finance and health. After work, they continue to go to class, study online or self-study at night and on weekends.
For married workers, arranging study time is even more difficult when having to balance work, children and family responsibilities. Going to school at this time, at this age is a stressful choice but you still have to accept it if you dont want to fall behind, Ms. Chi admitted.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Binh - deputy technical department manager of a company specializing in electrical equipment in Viet Hung ward (Hanoi) - has registered for a specialized high school class, starting from February 2026.
According to Mr. Binh, at his age of 43, the pressure to study is huge but there is no other choice because of the changes in the labor market. In addition, I myself also admitted that there were changes in my thinking. Instead of relying entirely on businesses, I choose to proactively invest in myself, considering studying an inevitable part of the working process, Mr. Binh shared.
Mr. Bui Sy Loi - former Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Social Affairs (now the Social Committee) - said that the current labor market shows that skills are the most important "asset" of workers.
A degree can be the starting point, but the ability to continuously learn is what determines their long-term survival. Learning is not limited to formal schools, but also short-term training courses, online learning, learning at enterprises. Notably, many workers deeply realize that studying is not only to increase wages, but more importantly, to keep a job and be proactive. When they have skills, they are more confident in the face of fluctuations, can choose to stay or change jobs, instead of being passive and waiting for decisions from businesses, said Mr. Bui Sy Loi.
Agreeing with the efforts of workers to improve their learning and skills, Mr. Loi also said that they need more "support" to feel secure in their studies: The State needs to expand training programs for retraining, skills training, and supporting learning costs for working workers, especially vulnerable groups; businesses need to consider training as a long-term investment, not only serving immediate benefits but also helping to stabilize human resources.
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