Circular No. 01/2024/TT-BLDTBXH stipulates the procedures for developing, reviewing, and promulgating training programs at the intermediate and higher vocational levels; organizing the compilation, selection, review, approval, and use of textbooks.

CIRCULAR

Regulations on the process of developing, reviewing, and promulgating vocational training programs;
organizing the compilation, selection, review, approval, and use of textbooks
at the intermediate level and higher education level

^{____________________}

On the basis of The Vocational Education Law dated November 27, 2014;

Decree No. Decree No. 62/2022/NĐ-CP dated September 12, 2022 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs;

Decree No. Decree No. 15/2019/NĐ-CP dated February 1, 2019 of the Government detailing certain provisions and measures for implementation of the Vocational Education Law;

At the proposal of the Director General of the General Department of Vocational Education,

The Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs issues this Circular to regulate the process of developing, reviewing, and promulgating vocational training programs at the intermediate level and higher education level; organizing the compilation, selection, review, approval, and use of textbooks.

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular regulates the process of developing, reviewing, and promulgating programs; organizing the compilation, selection, review, approval, and use of textbooks at the intermediate level and higher education level in vocational education.

Article 2. Applicability

Article 1. This Circular applies to colleges, intermediate schools, and other entities registered to operate vocational education at the intermediate level and higher education level (hereinafter referred to as vocational education operation entities).

Article 2. This Circular does not apply to training programs awarded by foreign educational institutions and joint training programs with foreign countries in the field of vocational education.

Chapter II
PROCEDURE FOR DEVELOPING, REVIEWING AND PROMULGATING

VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS AT THE INTERMEDIATE LEVEL AND HIGHER EDUCATION LEVEL

Article 3. Requirements for vocational training programs

Clause 1. Vocational training programs must comply with the minimum knowledge volume requirements, and the ability requirements that students achieve upon graduation according to each profession and training level. For professions without established minimum knowledge volume requirements and ability requirements upon graduation, they must ensure compliance with the provisions of Circular No. 12/2017/TT-BLDTBXH dated April 20, 2017 of the Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs stipulating the minimum knowledge volume and ability requirements that students achieve upon graduation at the intermediate level and higher education level; Circular No. 04/2023/TT-BLDTBXH dated June 15, 2023 amending and supplementing some articles of Circular No. 12/2017/TT-BLDTBXH.

Clause 2. It must be determined the list and duration of each subject and module within the vocational training program; theoretical study time, practical and internship time, and final examination time for each subject and module.

Clause 3. The content and study time for common subjects in the vocational training program shall be implemented in accordance with the regulations of the Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.

Clause 4. Vocational training programs must ensure scientific, logical, systematic, practical, appropriate, and flexible characteristics; adaptable to the diversity in training organization methods. Professional content must meet the main and core competencies of the profession; supplementary, elective, and advanced competencies for students to choose according to their needs.

Clause 5. Specify evaluation methods for learning outcomes consistent with the training organization method, determining the level of achievement of ability requirements for students after completing each subject and module of the vocational training program.

Clause 6. The content of vocational training programs must meet changes in science and technology, production, business, and service requirements; meet the needs of businesses and the labor market, and be consistent with the economic and social development requirements of industries, localities, and the country.

Clause 7. Ensure modernity and international integration, with a trend towards aligning with advanced training levels of developed countries worldwide; aiming towards green training goals and digital transformation objectives.

Clause 8. Ensure connectivity with vocational education training levels and with other training levels in the national education system.

Clause 9. Specify specific conditions for implementing vocational training programs and quality assurance conditions.

Article 4. Structure of the training program

The structure of the training program for each field and occupation includes:

1. Name of the field or occupation;

2. Field or occupation code (for those fields and occupations listed in the Catalogue);

3. Level of training;

4. Admissions target;

5. Duration of the course (academic years);

6. Total volume of knowledge for the entire course (hours, credits);

7. Program description or field/occupation training profile;

8. Training objectives;

9. Summary table of skills for the field or occupation within the training program;

10. List and duration of subjects and modules (compulsory, elective);

11. Detailed program of subjects and modules (compulsory, elective);

12. Guidelines for using the program.

Article 5. Duration of the course and units of time in the training program

1. Duration of the course and study load in the program

a) The duration of the course is designed for the associate degree training program from two to three academic years and must ensure a minimum volume of knowledge of sixty credits.

b) The duration of the course is designed for the intermediate vocational training program from one to two academic years and must ensure a minimum volume of knowledge of thirty-five credits for those with a high school diploma, fifty credits for those with a junior high school diploma. The head of the vocational education institution bases the content of the study on the requirements of the field or occupation to specify the content of study for fifteen additional credits for those with a junior high school diploma, ensuring that students have basic knowledge to absorb the specialized content of the field or occupation.

c) The duration of the course for students who are exempted or have their results retained due to previous studies is reduced accordingly to the time spent on the exempted or retained content.

d) The duration of the course includes study time and time for common activities, including:

Study time includes: actual class time, examination and assessment time at the end of each subject or module; review and graduation examination time for the semester system. Actual class time refers to the time students spend listening to lectures, laboratory work, discussions, practical exercises, internships, or integrated learning between theory and practice at the place of practice.

Time for common activities includes: opening and closing ceremonies, mid-term and year-end reviews; summer break, holiday, labor time, and contingency time.

đ) Theoretical study time and practical, internship, and laboratory time must be proportionate according to the following ratios:

For intermediate level: theoretical study accounts for 25% to 45%; practical, internship, and laboratory work account for 55% to 75% of the total program time.

For associate degree level: theoretical study accounts for 30% to 50%; practical, internship, and laboratory work account for 50% to 70% of the total program time.

e) Examination and theoretical test time counts towards theoretical hours; examination and practical test time counts towards practical hours.

g) The duration of the course for programs in cultural arts, physical education, and sports fields with special characteristics is specified by the Government.

2. Units of time and time conversion in the training program

Study time is calculated in hours and converted into credits to determine the minimum study load according to the National Qualification Framework of Vietnam. Units of time in the training program are converted as follows:

a) One hour of theoretical study is forty-five minutes, one hour of practical, integrated, or internship study is sixty minutes.

b) One credit is defined as a minimum of fifteen hours of theoretical study; or thirty hours of practical, laboratory, or discussion work; or forty-five hours of internship, term paper, major project, or thesis preparation. Self-study and preparation time under guidance is necessary for students to absorb knowledge and skills but is not counted towards credit conversion in the training program.

c) The number of credits for each subject or module and in the training program is rounded to whole numbers; if rounding is not possible, it may be converted into fractional or decimal credits.

d) The study load for general subjects as prescribed by the Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs is converted into credits in Appendix 05 attached to this Circular.

Article 6. Organization to develop training programs

1. The head of vocational education establishments decides on the establishment of the Program Steering Committee/Program Compilation Team; specifies their tasks, authorities, and the number, structure, and composition to ensure the following requirements and standards:

a) Having a bachelor's degree or higher, understanding and experience in program development; having at least three years of direct teaching experience or production, business, management activities in the relevant field of the profession involved in developing the program.

b) Representing workers/employers in the related professional field, understanding the occupational skill requirements and job positions in the relevant field of the profession.

2. Organization to compile training programs

a) Determine the objectives, duration, volume of knowledge, skill requirements, and content to be included in the training program based on occupational skill standards, specifying the minimum volume of knowledge and skill requirements that learners must achieve in the profession. For professions without issued occupational skill standards or minimum knowledge volume and skill requirements, it is necessary to conduct job analysis, work analysis, and enterprise surveys to determine the necessary skills for the profession.

b) Design the structure of the training program, determine the list of mandatory and elective courses/modules, time, and allocation of time for implementation.

c) Design detailed outlines for mandatory and elective courses/modules according to the established training program.

d) Design the content and methods of assessing learning outcomes based on the skill requirements that learners must achieve according to each content and level of training.

đ) Organize the compilation of training programs, detailed course programs according to the model prescribed in Appendix 01, 02, 03 attached to this Circular.

e) Organize the collection of opinions from experts, lecturers, managers, scientists, employers regarding the structure and content of the training program.

g) Finalize the draft training program based on incorporating feedback according to point e, clause 2 of this Article.

3. Selection of training programs

a) The head of vocational education establishments has autonomy to select training programs from other domestic or foreign training institutions or transferred programs from abroad, ensuring compliance with intellectual property laws for application at their institution.

b) Depending on the specific requirements of the selected training programs, the head of vocational education establishments decides on organizing a pre-approval review before approving and issuing them for implementation. The organization of the review (if applicable) is carried out according to Article 7 of this Circular.

Article 7. Review of Training Programs

1. Review Board

The Review Board for training programs is established by the head of vocational education establishments, responsible for providing professional advice during the review of training programs; making observations, evaluations, and bearing responsibility for the quality of the training programs. The number, criteria, composition, and structure of the Review Board are determined by the head of vocational education establishments, ensuring the following requirements:

a) The number of Review Board members is odd, including: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and members; among which there must be at least one opposing member from another training institution and one representative from an employer enterprise.

b) The composition of the Review Board includes: teachers, training management staff, technical staff from enterprises. Review Board members cannot be members of the Program Steering Committee/Program Compilation Team. The Review Board must have at least one-third of its members being teachers currently teaching at the corresponding training level and profession.

c) Criteria for Review Board members: Having a bachelor's degree or higher, having at least five years of teaching experience or participation in production, business, management activities in the reviewed profession's field. It is encouraged to invite foreign training institution teachers and lecturers to join the Review Board.

2. Organization of the Review

a) The Review Board operates under the chairmanship of the Chairman; Review Board meetings must ensure the presence of at least two-thirds of all Review Board members, including the chairman and secretary.

b) The Review Board bases its evaluation, review, and acceptance of the training program on the minimum volume of knowledge and skill requirements for each training level; occupational skill standards already issued or enterprise survey results, job analysis, work analysis, and profession goals and requirements. The Chairman of the Review Board concludes based on the evaluation opinions and voting results of the Review Board members.

c) The Chairman of the Review Board clearly concludes on the training program in three levels: the training program is approved without need for revision; approved but requires revision and specifies the contents needing revision; the program is not approved and specifies the reasons for non-approval.

Article 8. Issuing training programs

The head of vocational education and training institutions shall issue decisions to promulgate intermediate and college level training programs based on the results of the program assessment by the Assessment Council, serving as the basis for registering vocational education and training activities and implementing the training programs in accordance with regulations.

Article 9. Evaluation and updating, improving training programs

1. Every maximum three years, the training program must be organized for evaluation to improve, update, and supplement changes according to the minimum volume of knowledge and requirements for student competencies; advancements in science and technology within the field and profession; research results related to the program; changes in courses, modules, or specialized content to align with practical production, business, and service market realities.

2. Improvements, modifications, updates, and supplements to the content of the training program shall be carried out in accordance with Articles 6 and 7 of this Circular or through a simplified process and organization, depending on the extent of modification, updating, adjustment, and decided by the head of the vocational education and training institution.

3. The head of the vocational education and training institution shall issue the updated and supplemented training program based on the recommendation of the Assessment Council after the program has been approved.

Chapter III
ORGANIZING THE COMPOSITION, SELECTION, REVIEW, APPROVAL, AND USE OF TRAINING TEXTBOOKS

Article 10. Requirements for Training Textbooks

1. Compliance with the objectives, requirements, and content of the training program and courses, modules within the program.

2. Ensuring accuracy, systematicity, pedagogical quality; ensuring balance and appropriateness between specialized content and illustrations, drawings, diagrams.

3. Knowledge, skills, and competency requirements for students must meet the objectives of each chapter and lesson in each course, module.

4. At the end of each chapter and lesson, there must be a system of questions, exercises, and methods for assessing knowledge and skills; textbooks must have a list of reference materials; reference materials must have clear sources.

5. Concise, simple, and easy-to-understand presentation; using common and consistent professional terminology; illustrations, drawings, diagrams must clarify knowledge and skills.

6. Ensuring compatibility with equipment, learning materials, and other teaching methods and tools.

Article 11. Composition and Selection of Training Textbooks

1. The head of the vocational education and training institution decides to establish a textbook composition team meeting the following requirements: having a bachelor's degree or higher, at least three years of teaching experience in the relevant field and profession; understanding and having experience in building and composing textbooks.

2. Organizing the composition of textbooks

a) Studying the training program; defining the minimum volume of knowledge, competency requirements, job positions of the field and profession; detailed course and module programs within the training program and survey results from enterprises, occupational analysis, and job analysis.

b) Researching and referencing related professional materials.

c) Composing detailed textbook content (according to Model 04 in Appendix).

d) Soliciting expert opinions on the textbook content.

e) Compiling feedback, revising, editing, and perfecting the textbook.

3. Selecting textbooks

a) The head of the vocational education and training institution may select textbooks compiled by other domestic or foreign training institutions that comply with intellectual property laws and are suitable for the training program to serve as official teaching and learning materials of the school.

b) Depending on the specific requirements of the selected training textbooks, the head of the vocational education and training institution decides on organizing the review of the textbooks before approving their implementation. The review (if applicable) shall be conducted in accordance with Article 12 of this Circular.

Article 12. Examination, approval, and use of textbooks

1. Textbook examination board

a) The textbook examination board shall be established by the head of the vocational education institution to review, evaluate, and examine textbooks; it shall be responsible for the quality of the textbooks. The report on the examination results shall serve as the basis for the head of the vocational education institution to decide on approval and use.

b) The textbook examination board shall consist of an odd number of members including: Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, and other members who are teachers, lecturers, experts, and experienced managers from the relevant training fields. Members of the examination board must have a bachelor's degree or higher and at least five years of experience in teaching and compiling textbooks.

2. Organization of examination and approval of textbooks

a) The examination board operates under the chairmanship of the Chairperson. A meeting of the textbook examination board must ensure attendance of at least two-thirds of the total number of members, including the Chairperson and Secretary.

b) The examination board reviews and evaluates the draft textbook content based on the training program and subject matter requirements; the Chairperson of the examination board concludes on the quality of the training textbook based on the comments and evaluations of each member.

c) The compilation team incorporates the comments and suggestions of the examination board to improve the textbook.

d) The Chairperson of the examination board reports the examination results of the completed textbook to the head of the vocational education institution for approval and implementation.

Chapter IV
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 13. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from April 5, 2024. Circular No. 03/2017/TT-BLDTBXH dated March 1, 2017, issued by the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, which stipulates the procedures for developing, examining, and promulgating training programs; organizing the compilation, selection, and examination of textbooks for intermediate and college-level training, shall cease to be effective from the date this Circular takes effect.

2. Training programs and textbooks developed, examined, selected, and promulgated according to Circular No. 03/2017/TT-BLDTBXH and the Vocational Education Law shall continue to be implemented until the next update or revision in accordance with this Circular.

3. Training programs and textbooks currently being developed according to Circular No. 03/2017/TT-BLDTBXH but not yet examined and promulgated when this Circular takes effect shall recognize the results already achieved.

4. In cases where the referenced documents in this Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced, they shall be implemented according to the newly issued documents.

5. Ministries, agencies equivalent to ministries, People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities; political-social organizations with vocational education institutions; the General Department of Vocational Education; Departments of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs; vocational education institutions shall be responsible for implementing this Circular./.

 

ANNEX 01:

MODEL FORMAT OF TRAINING PROGRAM
(Attached to Circular No. 01/2024/TT-BLDTBXH dated February 19, 2024, issued by the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs)

 

PROGRAM OF TRAINING

Major, Career:

Code of major, career:

Level of training:

Enrollment criteria:

Duration of course: (academic year)

1. Program introduction/description of major, career training

2. Training objectives

2.1. General objectives

2.2. Specific objectives

3. Job positions after graduation

4. Volume of knowledge and study time

- Total volume of knowledge for the entire course: ……. (hours/credits)

- Number of subjects, modules: …

- Volume of general subject study: … (hours/credits)

- Volume of specialized subject/module study: … (hours/credits)

- Theoretical volume: …(hours); practical, internship: … (hours/credits)

5. Summary of major/career capabilities

6. Program content

7. Program usage guide

Suggestions for writing program usage guidance on the following contents:

- Guidance on teaching mandatory general subjects;

- Guidance on organizing and implementing the training program for academic system training;

- Guidance on organizing and implementing the training program for modular accumulation or credit accumulation training;

- Guidance on organizing and implementing the training program for content that can be carried out through online methods;

- Guidance on determining the content and time for extracurricular activities;

- Guidance on organizing regular and periodic assessments and final subject/module exams;

- Guidance on final exams and graduation certification;

..........................................................................................

 

ANNEX 02:

SAMPLE FORMAT OF THE SUBJECT PROGRAM
(Attached to Circular No. 01/2024/TT-BLDTBXH dated February 19, 2024, issued by the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs)

SUBJECT PROGRAM

Name of subject:

Subject code:

Duration of subject implementation: …hours; (Theoretical: …hours; Practical, integrated, experiment, discussion, assignment: …hours; Exam/Assessment…hours)

I. Position and nature of the subject

- Location:

- Nature:

II. Objectives of the subject

- Knowledge:

- Skills:

- Autonomous and responsibility capabilities:

III. Content of the subject

1. General content and time allocation

2. Detailed content

Chapter 1                                                               Duration:…hours
1. Objectives

2. Content

2.1. Section name

2.1.1. Subsection name

Chapter 2                                                              Duration:…hours
1. Objectives

2. Content

2.1. Section name

2.1.1.Subsection name

Chapter n                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                &

IV. CONDITIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE COURSE

1. SPECIALIZED CLASSROOMS/FACILITIES

2. EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY

3. LEARNING MATERIALS, TOOLS, RAW MATERIALS

4. OTHER CONDITIONS

V. CONTENT AND METHODS, ASSESSMENT

1. Content

- KNOWLEDGE

- SKILLS

- SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING ABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY

2. METHODS

VI. GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE COURSE

1. SCOPE OF APPLICATION OF THE COURSE

2. GUIDANCE ON TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS FOR THE COURSE

- FOR TEACHERS, INSTRUCTORS

- FOR STUDENTS

3. KEY POINTS TO PAY ATTENTION TO

4. REFERENCE MATERIALS

5. NOTES AND EXPLANATIONS (IF ANY)

 

ANNEX 03:

TEMPLATE FOR MODULE PROGRAM
(Attached to Circular No. 01/2024/TT-BLDTBXH dated February 19, 2024, issued by the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs)

MODULE PROGRAM

MODULE NAME:

MODULE CODE:

TIME FOR IMPLEMENTING THE MODULE: …hours; (THEORETICAL: ...HOURS; PRACTICAL, EXPERIMENTAL, DISCUSSION, ASSIGNMENTS: ...HOURS; TESTING:...HOURS)

I. POSITION AND NATURE OF THE MODULE

- Location:

- Nature:

II. OBJECTIVES OF THE MODULE

- KNOWLEDGE:

- SKILLS:

- SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING ABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY:

III. CONTENT OF THE MODULE

1. General content and time allocation

2. Detailed content

2 sessions                                                            TIME:...HOURS

1. OBJECTIVES OF THE LESSON

2. CONTENT OF THE LESSON

2.1. TOPIC NAME

2.1.1.SUB-TOPIC NAME

4 sessions                                                          TIME:...HOURS

1. OBJECTIVES OF THE LESSON

2. CONTENT OF THE LESSON

2.1. TOPIC NAME

2.1.1. SUB-TOPIC NAME

LESSON n                                                            TIME:...HOURS

IV. CONDITIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE MODULE

1. SPECIALIZED CLASSROOMS, FACILITIES

2. EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY:

3. LEARNING MATERIALS, TOOLS, RAW MATERIALS

4. OTHER CONDITIONS

V. CONTENT AND ASSESSMENT METHODS

1. Content of Assessment

- KNOWLEDGE

- SKILLS

- SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING ABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY

2. Methods of evaluation

VI. GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE MODULE

1. SCOPE OF APPLICATION OF THE MODULE

2. GUIDANCE ON TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS FOR THE MODULE

- FOR TEACHERS, INSTRUCTORS

- FOR STUDENTS

3. KEY POINTS TO PAY ATTENTION TO

4. REFERENCE MATERIALS

5. NOTES AND EXPLANATIONS (IF ANY)

 

ANNEX 04:

TEMPLATE FOR TRAINING TEXTBOOK
(Attached to Circular No. 01/2024/TT-BLDTBXH dated February 19, 2024, issued by the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs)

 

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

THIS DOCUMENT IS A TEXTBOOK, THEREFORE INFORMATION SOURCES MAY BE USED IN THEIR ORIGINAL FORM OR PARTIALLY FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AND REFERENCE.

ANY OTHER USE WITH AN UNFAIR INTENT OR FOR UNETHICAL BUSINESS PURPOSES IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION TO THE ORIGIN OF THE TEXTBOOK, THE COMPILE PROCESS, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TEXTBOOK AND THE TRAINING PROGRAM, AND THE OVERALL STRUCTURE OF THE TEXTBOOK.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FROM ASSOCIATED ORGANIZATIONS, UNITS, AND INDIVIDUALS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE COMPILE PROCESS.

 

…, day…month…year……

 

CONTRIBUTORS

1. CHIEF EDITOR

2...……….

3..………..

………...

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

COURSE TEXTBOOK/MODULE

Course Name/Module:

Course Code/Module:

Position, Nature, and Role of the Course/Module:

- Location:

- Nature:

- The Role of the Course/Module in the Curriculum:

Objectives of the Course/Module:

- Knowledge:

- Skills:

- Autonomous and responsibility capabilities:

Content of the Course/Module:

CHAPTER/LESSON 1:

Chapter/Lesson Code:

Introduction:

Objective:

Main Content:

1. Title of Section 1

1.1. Title of Subsection 1

1.2. Title of Subsection 2

.......

2. Title of Section 2

2.1. Title of Subsection 1

2.2. Title of Subsection 2

.......

n. Title of Section n

.......

* NOTE: The content to be included in sections and subsections includes:

- Necessary knowledge and skills to perform tasks and work;

- Procedures, steps, and methods for performing tasks and work;

- Types of drawings, diagrams, and key points to remember;

- Practice questions and exercises for students;

- Requirements for assessing learning outcomes; structure and type of questions, exercises/products at the end of each chapter/lesson and at the end of the course/module;

GUIDELINES FOR USING THE COURSE TEXTBOOK

REFERENCES

 

ANNEX 05:

CREDIT UNITS SPECIFIED FOR REQUIRED COMMON COURSES
(Attached to Circular No. 01/2024/TT-BLDTBXH dated February 19, 2024, issued by the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs)