Take the case of Mùa A Sính’s family in Háng Lìa commune. Despite owning nearly two hectares of farmland, the family still struggles with food shortages throughout the year and faces the risk of hunger during the lean season. The core issue is their lack of knowledge and farming skills. Until now, the family has never participated in any technical training on livestock or crop cultivation. Their farming methods rely entirely on passed-down experience, with no proper knowledge of seed selection or effective pest and disease management.

This situation is far from isolated. In Nậm Kè commune, Sùng Thị Dính’s household faces similar challenges. Though they have land and labor, a lack of technical training means they continue to farm using outdated practices, without direction or efficiency. Often, they are unsure what crops to plant, and after harvest, they struggle to find markets, sometimes leaving their land unused. Livestock farming is spontaneous and unvaccinated, with no disease monitoring, resulting in unstable and meager income.

Nguyễn Tiến Thành, Chairman of the Nậm Kè commune People’s Committee, noted that after the commune merger, the locality expanded in size and population, but poverty rates remain high. One major reason is that many residents lack the essential skills needed for productive work. While technical training programs are available, participation is still limited. Infrastructure is underdeveloped, old farming habits persist, and there is little understanding of modern agricultural methods or veterinary hygiene. These are major barriers to improving productivity and household income.

The phenomenon of households owning land but lacking the skills to farm it effectively is widespread in Điện Biên’s rural and mountainous areas. Without adequate labor skills, people struggle to increase their income, perpetuating the cycle of poverty. If provided with the right knowledge and modern techniques, families like Sính’s and Dính’s could transform their livelihoods and achieve sustainable escape from poverty.

According to annual reports from the provincial government, Điện Biên trains between 8,000 and 9,000 workers each year. From 2022 to 2024, the province trained 25,480 workers, exceeding its target of 24,950 by 102.1%. In the first half of this year alone, 2,281 people received vocational training. As a result, the province’s overall training rate has reached 63%, with 34% of workers holding certificates or diplomas. Unemployment in urban areas remains below 3%.

However, these figures do not fully reflect actual needs. Surveys in 2024 revealed that 12,143 households across the province lacked basic production knowledge, with rural areas accounting for 11,949 of these. Furthermore, 17,800 households, mostly rural, had no labor skills despite having access to productive resources.

The root of this skill poverty lies in a combination of factors: vocational training systems are fragmented and lack practical relevance; training facilities are outdated and unevenly distributed; course content is often theoretical, failing to incorporate digital and soft skills. Additionally, people face difficulties accessing training due to financial constraints, time, geography, or hesitation toward technology. A prevalent mindset of waiting for government support also hampers initiative, as many fail to grasp the long-term benefits of learning a trade. As a result, despite numerous support programs, outcomes have fallen short of expectations.

To overcome labor skill poverty, more practical and innovative solutions are needed. One effective approach is to bring mobile training programs directly to villages and neighborhoods where people live and work. Training should cover a broader range of topics, including crop and livestock techniques, household economic management, and digital skills like using social media, information security, and online commerce.

Equally important is the connection between farmers and businesses, cooperatives, and startup centers. These entities can not only share production standards but also help residents build soft skills, teamwork, and workplace discipline, key traits for improving labor efficiency. Local authorities and community organizations must also step up in communication efforts to inspire and encourage people to embrace vocational training and acquire new skills. At the same time, residents need to be empowered to take initiative and let go of the passive expectation of government support.

Addressing labor skill poverty in Điện Biên is not just a vocational training challenge, it is a broader issue of education, infrastructure, technology, and policy. Poverty reduction must go beyond meeting basic needs; it must focus on empowering people to take control of their lives. Only by improving their skills can individuals confidently seize opportunities, transform their futures, and contribute to sustainable community development. It is time to recognize the urgency of this issue and take action, before it becomes a significant obstacle to building a progressive and equitable society.