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SURVEY

of PwC Vietnam. “While upgrades or invest-
ment in technology can be immediate, equip-
ping people with the right skills to meet the
needs of the future and helping them thrive
in the changing conditions of the digital world
requires time and constant effort.”
The need to adapt to new skills resonates
with the majority of respondents. The report
reveals that 93 per cent are already making
efforts to reskill and upskill. Technology-
related skills are top of mind, with 43 per
cent of respondents wanting to become better
at learning and adapting to different tech-
nologies, while 34 percent are looking to
become proficient in a specific technology.
It is encouraging to note that 88 per cent
of Vietnamese respondents said that, to different
extents, they are provided with opportunities
at work to improve their digital skills. This
shows that businesses are doing their part to
meet the upskilling needs of their workforce.
However, skills mismatches and opportunity
gaps are real and widening in an increasingly
technology-enabled economy, both globally
PwC releases digital and locally. In PwC’s Global CEO Survey 2021,
79 per cent of CEOs in the Asia-Pacific region
expressed concerns about the availability of
readiness report key skills, compared to 72 per cent globally.
In this regard, while over half of respon-
dents feel the responsibility for upskilling is
on themselves, PwC believes that both the
government and businesses have important
PwC has for the first time released its Vietnam around job security due to automation. This roles to play in providing people with access
Digital Readiness report, which shows that is not surprising, however, as digital tech- to inclusive upskilling programs.
Vietnamese have a high level of optimism but nologies are increasingly becoming key solu- “COVID-19 has intensified the stark mis-
lingering concerns about the future of work. tions across industries. This is shaping a match of people with the right skills for
Based on a recent public survey of Viet- future where digital skills are expected to be available jobs,” Ms. Van added. “The need to
namese people regarding technology, jobs, among the top 10 job competencies in the upskill and reskill people so they can participate
and skills against the backdrop of COVID-19, next five years, according to a report at the in the economy is more critical than ever.
the findings from this inaugural report high- World Economic Forum last October. Business leaders, governments, and educational
lighted that changes are underway and hap- “As companies fast-track technological institutions need to work together to upskill
pening quickly. With technology, existing development, it’s important to note that people to meet the workforce needs of the
jobs will not look the same in three to five employees play a critical role at every stage,” future and drive inclusive and sustainable
years for 83 per cent of respondents and six said Ms. Dinh Thi Quynh Van, General Director social and economic growth in Vietnam.” %
to ten years for 90 per cent.
Perceptions of such changes are also layered
with optimism, with 90 per cent of respon-
dents believing that technological develop-
ments will improve their job prospects in the 83% of respondents agreed that their jobs will change
future. This level is much higher than the in the next 3-5 years
global 60 per cent in PwC’s Global Upskilling
Hopes and Fears report released in 2019. 63%
“Our survey findings reflect the accelerated
presence and influence of technology in the 3-5 years
workplace and the pace of change that is to 41% 42%
come in Vietnam,” said Mr. Grant Dennis, 6-10 years
PwC Vietnam Chairman. “Going forward,
enabling workers and firms to adapt in the Question 27%
new technological environment and empow-
ering them to achieve outcomes will be key Do you think technology will 12%
to any organization’s success.” change your current job? 7% 3%
The significant impact of technology on 2%
jobs, however, comes with a sense of uncer- De!nitely Probably Probably Not De!nitely Not
tainty. PwC noted that 45 per cent of Viet-
namese respondents expressed concerns Source: Digital Readiness Vietnam Report, 2021 by PwC Vietnam

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