HCM City (VNA) - Vietnam has beenranked 86th out of 118 countries in the annual Global Talent CompetitivenessIndex, which measures how countries grow, attract and retain talent.

The study is done annually by INSEAD, one of theworld’s leading business schools, the Human Capital Leadership Institute ofSingapore and Switzerland-based workforce solutions provider Adecco Group.

The latest report explores the effects oftechnological changes on talent competitiveness, arguing that while jobs at alllevels continue to be replaced by machines, technology is also creating newopportunities.

According to the report,Vietnam scores relatively better in global knowledge skills (i.e. using theavailable higher skills to support the production of innovations and engage inentrepreneurship); by contrast, the country is struggling in terms ofattracting talent and developing a pool of vocational and technicalskills. 

Andree Mangels, generaldirector of Adecco Vietnam, said: “Vietnam shows a mixed readiness in allaspects of the talent readiness for technology, although it is not surprisingto find it well-positioned in entrepreneurial spirit as the country aims tohave one million start-ups by 2020.

“In recent years, theyoung and enthusiastic Vietnamese entrepreneurs have introduced new technologyand platforms that disrupted the traditional norms.

“However, for Vietnam toachieve its ambitious goal of becoming a start-up nation in the next threeyears, there needs to be a stronger link between the classroom and theboardroom where education provides not only practical curriculum based on theeconomy’s needs, but also allows the learners to develop creativity and softskills."

In the ranking of 118 countries this year,Switzerland and Singapore occupy the top spots. The UK and the US rankthird and fourth respectively.

High ranking countries share key traits,including educational systems that meet the needs of the economy, employmentpolicies that favour flexibility, mobility and entrepreneurship, and highconnectedness of stakeholders in business and government.

Ilian Mihov, dean ofINSEAD, said: “By focusing on ‘technology and talent’, this year’s reportpoints at some of the most challenging issues that the world economy will facein the coming years.

“As the reportunderlines, the role of education will remain fundamental to reach this complexset of goals.”

Alain Dehaze, Adecco Group CEO, said: “The fastadvance of automation and artificial intelligence is the source of the mostdisruptive changes of our time in the way we live and work. The transition willbe rocky, so governments and business must act.

“Education system reforms are urgently needed toprovide the right technical and people skills, and the ability to adapt tochange.

“As a multi-career reality becomes the norm,workers must boost employability by committing to life-long learning. At thesame time, employment policies must combine employers’ need for flexibilitywith social protection. Only by working together will we respond to thechallenges, unleash the power of work and boost prosperity.”

Launched for the first time in 2013, the GTCIprovides a wealth of data and analyses that helps decision makers developtalent strategies, overcome mismatches and be competitive in the globalmarketplace.

Vietnam ranked 82nd out of 103 countries in thefirst edition and 82nd out of 109 last year.-VNA