DEOCA Group recently partnered with Central College of Transport 1 (CCT1) and Guangzhou Railway Polytechnic (China) to host a Conference on “Cooperation in training human resources for the railway industry". This marked the beginning of a trilateral strategic cooperation program aimed at developing high-quality human resources to meet the practical demands of key transport infrastructure projects, most notably the North–South high-speed railway.

The overall view of the conference.

The event took place on July 1 in Hanoi, amid Vietnam’s accelerated push to modernize its transport infrastructure. The high-speed railway system is considered a cornerstone for the regional connectivity strategy, helping to ease the burden on both roads and airways. It is estimated that the North-South Expressway alone will require around 20,000 skilled workers—an urgent demand that Vietnam's current workforce struggles to meet in both quantity and quality.

Facing this challenge, DEOCA Group proactively proposed a practical and internationally aligned training model. Speaking at the conference, Mr. Nguyen Quang Huy, General Manager of DEOCA Group, affirmed: “We have had in-depth discussions and reached a strong consensus. DEOCA is committed to collaborating with both institutions, not only as a connector but also as an employer that orders human resources after training. We are dedicated to ensuring career outcomes for students and tangible results for the program.”

Mr. Nguyen Quang Huy, General Manager of DEOCA Group, spoke at the conference.

At the conference, Mr. Duong The Anh, Secretary of the Party Committee and Rector of CCT1, emphasized the college’s 57-year history of training high-quality human resources for the transport sector. He described the collaboration with DEOCA Group and Guangzhou Railway Polytechnic as a strategic and breakthrough move, particularly vital in response to the urgent demands of major infrastructure projects such as the North–South Expressway.

From an international perspective, Mr. Wang Chao, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Guangzhou Railway Polytechnic, shared: “As a leading institution for railway training in Southern China, we’ve contributed skilled manpower to high-speed railway spanning thousands of kilometers. We see tremendous potential in Vietnam and are honored to collaborate, share expertise, and support your country’s development.”

At the conference, three parties agreed to implement the cooperation program in three phases. In the first phase, beginning in 2025, Guangzhou Railway Polytechnic will transfer short-term training programs, collaborate in teaching, and give certificates to engineers and technical personnel currently working at DEOCA Group and its affiliated organizations. The first courses are expected to launch in August and September this year.

The second phase will focus on deeper development. CCT1 plans to introduce new academic programs related to railways and high-speed railway, with comprehensive support from the Chinese side in transferring expertise and strengthening institutional capabilities.

The third phase aims to establish international joint-degree programs. This model will allow students to transfer between the two institutions, creating broader career opportunities. This not only meets DEOCA Group’s future workforce demands but also contributes to the long-term development strategy for Vietnam and the region’s transport industry.

The three parties agreed on a roadmap for workforce training to support the North–South expressway project, aiming towards international joint training programs.

Concluding the meeting, all three parties agreed to maintain close coordination in implementing the discussed plans, following the roadmap to ensure the program is both practical and effective. The “walk the talk” spirit was affirmed as a core principle of this long-term collaboration, helping to build a highly skilled workforce that meets the growing demands of the transport industry in the years ahead.

THU THAO