Hyundai Motor Group has partnered with Korea International Cooperation Agency and Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training to strengthen the country’s automotive workforce through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The agreement establishes a trilateral collaboration between industry, government, and academia, aimed at developing a skilled talent pipeline to support Vietnam’s rapidly expanding automotive sector.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Sung Kim, President and Head of Strategic Planning Division at Hyundai Motor Group; Won Sam Chang; and Le Quan.
Through this initiative, the three partners will combine technical expertise, curriculum development, and training infrastructure to create industry-specific skill development programs. The goal is to equip Vietnamese students with practical knowledge and career-ready capabilities, supporting long-term growth within the domestic automotive industry.
Highlighting the importance of the partnership, Sung Kim noted that Vietnam’s automotive market is witnessing strong growth, driving increased demand for skilled professionals. By leveraging Hyundai’s workforce development experience alongside KOICA’s expertise in international cooperation, the initiative aims to create a seamless pathway from education to employment.
Won Sam Chang emphasized that the collaboration represents a significant step in strengthening workforce capabilities while aligning with Vietnam’s broader development goals. He added that the partnership underscores a shared commitment to advancing industry-specific education and training.
Echoing this sentiment, Le Quan stated that Vietnam faces a rising need for qualified automotive talent. He reaffirmed the government’s support for the initiative and indicated that additional policies may follow to further enhance specialized skill development across the sector.
How Will the Program Work?
The Group will actively shape curriculum design in collaboration with KOICA, ensuring training reflects real industry demands. Training will center on hands-on manufacturing disciplines — including die-casting, press forming and welding — to ensure graduates are ready to contribute from day one on the production floor.
KOICA will manage overall program governance and the operation of technical training modules, while MOET will coordinate administrative support through its affiliated vocational training institutions.
Training will commence in the second half of 2026 and run through 2031, producing cohorts of skilled automotive technicians. Upon completion, graduates will be connected with employment opportunities at small and medium-sized component manufacturers operating in Vietnam.
This employment linkage is central to the program’s design: Vietnamese youth will transform technical training into a concrete career pathway, while skilled graduates will serve as a talent pipeline for small and medium-sized automotive component manufacturers in Vietnam and abroad.
How Does This Fit the Group’s Broader Commitment to Vietnam?
This workforce initiative is the latest expression of the Group’s long-term investment in Vietnam — a market experiencing rapid growth driven by its young, dynamic workforce and advancing industrial capabilities.
As a leading automotive manufacturer in Vietnam operating the joint venture Hyundai Thanh Cong Vietnam Auto Manufacturing Corporation (HTMV), the Group considers Vietnam a cornerstone of its ASEAN strategy and has maintained strong local production and sales operations in the country.
Beyond the automotive sector, the Group has built an extensive social contribution portfolio in Vietnam spanning education and environmental restoration.
- Hyundai Jump School Vietnam: Launched in Vietnam in 2020, building on the original program established in Korea in 2013, it pairs university student mentors with disadvantaged youth to provide scholarships and career mentoring. To date, 530 mentors trained and 2,886 young people supported.
- Chung Mong-Koo Foundation Global Scholarship: Supports talented students from Vietnam and seven other ASEAN nations with fully funded study in Korea — KRW 25 million per recipient annually, plus corporate networking opportunities. To date, approximately 100 Vietnamese students have benefited from this scholarship program.
- IONIQ Forest: A mangrove reforestation project in the Ca Mau region of the Mekong Delta, delivered in partnership with local communities. 80,000 trees planted in 2025, supporting biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.
