REACH

Boosting decent employment opportunities for Vietnam’s disadvantaged youth

Vietnamese youth face significant challenges in the labour market, where unemployment, underemployment, and informal work undermine their future prospects. According to the International Labour Organization, Vietnam has one of the highest rates of vulnerable jobs in the Asia-Pacific, with 60% of youth working in informal roles. These jobs are often unsafe, unstable, and poorly paid, with limited access to social protection.

A shortage of skilled workers matching market demand has prompted the Vietnamese government to prioritise workforce upskilling. REACH, a Vietnamese non-profit, addresses this gap by providing vocational training and job placement for disadvantaged youth aged 16-30 who struggle to access formal training and employment due to financial barriers and discrimination.

REACH’s market-oriented approach involves continually updating its curriculum based on employer requirements, with training courses available in six cities: Hanoi, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City, Haiduong, Hoian, and Danang. These courses last three to six months, followed by up to 12 months of job placement and counselling. Practical skills are taught in real business environments, including REACH’s own social enterprises, such as Viewzz, an IT visualisation service, and Em Salon, a beauty and hairdressing enterprise.

REACH’s holistic approach combines practical training with life skills and English language education, enhancing students’ employability and confidence. With the support of a vast employer network, REACH has trained nearly 18,000 youths over the past 12 years, with 87% of graduates securing decent jobs. Graduates earn, on average, 20% more than the national minimum wage, demonstrating the impact of REACH’s focus on sustainable, quality employment.

In 2021, REACH expanded its network by 58 new businesses, bringing the total to over 1,500 partners supporting training and job placement. During the COVID-19 pandemic, REACH also provided critical support to students and alumni, including food allowances, computer loans, and COVID-19 test kits. 

The Trafigura Foundation supported REACH’s ‘Decent Employment for Vietnam’s Disadvantaged Youth’ programme from 2021 to 2023. At the end of the grant, the Foundation approved a two-year exit grant to bolster REACH’s fundraising efforts.

Visit REACH’s website