Training and retraining civil servants in Vietnam

Abstract

Each nation employs a variety of specialized policy measures to grow and expand its contingent of civil servants through its political system and civil service features. Among them, training and retraining are deemed to be the most important measures. Although the approaches and contents used for training and retraining civil servants vary, they all strive to create a workforce of employees who are well-equipped to meet the demands of serving the government and the people. The author of this paper examines training and retraining and how they affect the competence of civil servants. Based on the theoretical framework developed, the author conducts a direct survey of 250 local civil servants at the commune level in five provinces, including Dien Bien Province, Lai Chau Province (Northern Region), Quang Ngai Province (Central region), and Tay Ninh Province, Binh Duong Province (Southern region). According to research findings, civil servants underappreciate the training, additional knowledge, and professional training that local authorities deliver. The author offers some recommendations from the study’s findings for local leaders to adjust training and retraining strategies appropriately to improve the quality of civil servants toward better serving the people, including: Developing and implementing a training and retraining program for government civil servants under the competency framework for each job title and position.