In line with Decision No. 522/QĐ-TTg dated May 14, 2018, of the Prime Minister approving the Project on “Career-oriented education and student streamlining in general education for the 2018-2025 period,” the provincial People’s Committee has issued documents for implementation. Departments, sectors, and localities have strengthened communication and dissemination on the importance of career-oriented education and streamlining; thereby raising awareness among students, parents, and the community, creating consensus and active participation. At the same time, they have provided information on State policies and labor market needs to help students choose majors suited to their abilities, family conditions, and employment opportunities.

The Department of Education and Training has directed schools to actively coordinate with universities, colleges, vocational schools, and career counseling organizations to organize career guidance and job-seeking activities for students. Schools have diversified communication channels, providing information about local and national labor markets through their websites so that students and parents can access the data and make informed career choices.

For 9th-grade students, besides teachers’ advice, there has been close coordination between high schools, provincial continuing education centers, district-level vocational-continuing education centers (former structure), and vocational schools to provide guidance and help students and parents choose between entering grade 10 with a suitable subject combination or pursuing vocational training. For 12th graders, counseling has been provided to help them select appropriate elective subjects for the high school graduation exam and, after receiving results, to choose suitable majors and schools aligned with their abilities and circumstances.

Every year, the provincial Youth Union, in cooperation with the provincial Employment Service Center and colleges inside and outside the province, organizes career-oriented and job-streamlining activities such as career counseling festivals, job fairs, and employment connection days. To date, 100% of secondary schools in the province have received direct career counseling and orientation from colleges and universities or official recruitment announcements through written coordination.

Nà Hỳ Ethnic Minority Boarding High School currently has 350 students, including 106 10th graders. In recent years, career counseling has been implemented from the very beginning of grade 10. At the start of the school year, the school surveys students across grades, combining the results with academic performance to provide appropriate advice on subject combinations.

Principal Nguyễn Văn Tập shared: “The school has established a counseling team that closely follows guidance from the sector, updates innovations in admissions, labor market demands, and future career trends to support and promptly answer students’ questions. Career counseling activities are integrated into subjects and extracurricular lessons.”

Student Cháng Thị Vang, grade 12C2, Nà Hỳ Ethnic Minority Boarding High School, said: “Through career counseling activities, we have been introduced to new regulations, received advice and experience sharing from teachers, and had our questions answered. For 12th graders, career orientation is especially meaningful, helping us choose majors that match both our abilities and society’s needs.”

Educational institutions have seriously and effectively implemented career-oriented content in the general education program, integrating it appropriately into subjects and activities. Content, methods, and formats are frequently renewed, focusing on updating knowledge, increasing practice, and linking learning with real production and business in the locality. This approach provides students with more information and real-life career experiences.

Career counseling activities are flexibly organized through various channels: subject lessons, class meetings, counseling sessions, extracurricular activities, parent meetings, or career counseling fairs. At the same time, schools are promoting IT applications, guiding students to use the internet to proactively explore majors, education levels, labor market trends, and State policies, thereby making suitable choices for themselves.

Career-oriented education not only helps students in the province clearly define their future paths and choose majors suitable for their abilities and circumstances but also contributes to creating a high-quality workforce that meets socio-economic development requirements. With the attention of authorities, the companionship of families and schools, and the support of society, career-oriented education will increasingly go deeper, becoming a solid “launch pad” for the young generation to pursue their dreams and aspirations for career and life.