Circular No. 31/2017/TT-BLDTBXH on vocational training at the college, intermediate, and basic levels through combined work and study

CIRCULAR

Regulations on vocational training at college, intermediate, and basic levels

through combined work and study training

__________________

Pursuant to the Law on Vocational Education dated November 27, 2014;

Pursuant to Decree No. 14/2017/NĐ-CP dated February 17, 2017, of the Government, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs;

Pursuant to Decree No. 48/2015/NĐ-CP dated May 15, 2015, of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Vocational Education Law;

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

THE MINISTER OF LABOR, WAR INVALIDS AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS ISSUES THIS CIRCULAR TO SUPPLEMENT PROFESSIONS AND TRADES TO THE LIST OF PROFESSIONS AND TRADES AT THE FOURTH LEVEL WITH A DIPLOMA IN VOCATIONAL COLLEGE AND HIGHER VOCATIONAL COLLEGE ISSUED TOGETHER WITH CIRCULAR NO. 04/2017/TT-BLDTBX ON MARCH 2, 2017, ISSUED BY THE MINISTER OF LABOR, WAR INVALIDS AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS.and Social Affairs issues this Circular to regulate vocational training at college, intermediate, and basic levelsthrough combined work and study training.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. This Circular regulates vocational training at college, intermediate, and basic levels through combined work and study training, including: training programs and textbooks; training duration, location, and methods; teacher standards; training plans; student recruitment for training; implementation of training programs; examination, assessment, and certification of graduation diplomas for college and intermediate levels and certificates for basic level training through combined work and study training.

2. This Circular does not regulate vocational training at college, intermediate, and basic levels through combined work and study training for the education sector.

3. This Circular applies to vocational education institutions; higher education institutions registered for vocational education at the college level; enterprises registered for vocational education at the basic level (hereinafter referred to collectively as vocational training institutions) and related agencies, organizations, and individuals.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

In this Circular, the following terms are understood as follows:

1. Combined work and study training is a non-continuous, part-time vocational training form where students concentrate on studying at designated training locations during each semester or training period; upon completion of each semester or training period, students continue their work at their workplace.

2. Semester is a portion of a course or academic year divided according to the training program content and recorded in the course training plan, including: start time, end time; number of subjects and modules; location for each subject and module to implement the training program. A semester may consist of one or more training periods suitable for the trainees.

3. Training period is a portion of a semester arranged suitably for the trainees, including: start time, end time; number of subjects and modules; location for each subject and module.

Chapter II

TRAINING PROGRAMS AND TEXTBOOKS; TRAINING DURATION, LOCATION, METHODS; TEACHER STANDARDS AND TRAINING PLANS

 TRAINING METHODS; TEACHER STANDARDS AND TRAINING PLANS

Article 3. Training Programs and Textbooks

1. Training programs and textbooks for vocational training at college, intermediate, and basic levels through combined work and study training are adjusted versions of regular training programs and textbooks for relevant fields and professions, adapted by vocational training institutions to match the capabilities of trainees and training duration.

For common subjects such as Physical Education and National Defense Security Education in college and intermediate level training programs, adjustments can be made to suit the trainees, decided by the head of the vocational training institution.

2. Training programs and textbooks for vocational training at college and intermediate levels through combined work and study training are independently developed and approved by the head of the vocational training institution in accordance with Circular No. 03/2017/TT-BLDTBXH dated March 1, 2017, issued by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, regulating procedures for developing, reviewing, and issuing training programs; organizing the compilation, selection, and review of training textbooks for intermediate and college levels (hereinafter referred to as Circular No. 03/2017/TT-BLDTBXH).

3. Training programs and textbooks for vocational training at the basic level through combined work and study training are independently developed and approved by the head of the vocational training institution in accordance with Circular No. 42/2015/TT-BLDTBXH dated October 20, 2015, issued by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, regulating basic level vocational training (hereinafter referred to as Circular No. 42/2015/TT-BLDTBXH).

4. Approved training programs must be publicly disclosed on the vocational training institution's electronic information website before organizing admissions.

Article 4. Duration of the course and organization of teaching

1. Duration of the course

a) In cases where training is organized according to the academic year system, the total duration of the training course (from the start to the end of the course) shall not exceed twice the duration of the regular training course in the same field, profession, and level of training as prescribed in Points a, c, d Clause 1 and Clause 2 Article 3 Circular No. 09/2017/TT-BLDTBXH dated March 13, 2017 of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs on organizing the implementation of vocational training programs at the intermediate and higher levels according to the academic year system or through modular or credit accumulation methods; examination, testing, and graduation recognition regulations (hereinafter referred to as Circular No. 09/2017/TT-BLDTBXH) for intermediate and higher levels, and Clause 1 Article 18 Circular No. 42/2015/TT-BLDTBXH for basic levels.

b) In cases where training is organized through modular or credit accumulation methods, the duration of the course is the time required for students to accumulate the number of modules or credits specified in the training program in the same field, profession, and level of training as prescribed in Points b, c, đ Clause 1 and Clause 2 Article 3 Circular No. 09/2017/TT-BLDTBXH for intermediate and higher levels, and Clause 1 Article 18 Circular No. 42/2015/TT-BLDTBXH for basic levels.

2. The duration of teaching organized by vocational training institutions for the entire course and each term is specifically stipulated by the head of the vocational training institution, ensuring the requirements set forth in Clause 3 Article 3 Circular No. 09/2017/TT-BLDTBXH for intermediate and higher levels; Clauses 2, 3 Article 18 Circular No. 42/2015/TT-BLDTBXH for basic levels, and the following requirements:

a) Teaching schedules are flexibly arranged (in the morning, afternoon, evening on working days or Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays) based on student needs but must ensure the requirements of the training program content.

b) The head of the vocational training institution specifies the maximum and minimum durations for implementing the training program; specific durations for each course, target groups of students, and publicly informs the students.

Article 5. Training Location

1. The training location is implemented according to the provisions of Article 4 Circular No. 09/2017/TT-BLDTBXH for intermediate and higher levels; Point b Clause 3 Article 19 Circular No. 42/2015/TT-BLDTBXH for basic levels. Specifically, the practical learning location, in addition to being conducted at the vocational training institution, can also be carried out at enterprises or workplaces of the students, but must meet the conditions regarding floor space, equipment, facilities, raw materials for training as required by the courses, modules in the training program; safety for teachers and students, and is regulated by the head of the vocational training institution in the training plan.

2. Vocational training institutions are encouraged to cooperate with enterprises to organize theoretical learning at the vocational training institution and practical learning or integrated learning combining theory with practice at enterprises, but must meet the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 6. Training Methods

1. Continuous training methods under the work-study model shall employ active training methods centered on the learner, combining theoretical teaching with practical training to supplement knowledge and skills that learners lack, linking training with production, business, and service realities to promote the learners' proactive roles, self-learning abilities, and experience.

2. Information technology and communication shall be utilized to enhance the quality and effectiveness of teaching and learning.

Article 7. Teacher Standards

1. Teachers instructing vocational training programs at the college, intermediate, and basic levels under the work-study model must meet the corresponding teacher standards for each level of training as stipulated in Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BLDTBXH dated March 10, 2017 of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs regarding the standards of professional qualifications for vocational education teachers (hereinafter referred to as Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BLDTBXH).

2. Vocational training institutions are encouraged to attract highly skilled individuals to participate in practical teaching, testing, and evaluating students' learning.

Article 8. Training Plan

1. The training plan for each course, academic year, and semester shall be implemented according to Article 5 of Circular No. 09/2017/TT-BLDTBXH for college and intermediate levels and Clause 1 of Article 19 of Circular No. 42/2015/TT-BLDTBXH for basic levels.

2. The training plan for each class shall include the overall training plan for the entire course, the training plan for each academic year, and the specific training plan for each semester as follows:

a) The overall training plan for the entire course includes the training plan for each academic year from the first year to the final year of the course or the training plan for each semester from the first semester to the last semester of the course.

The overall training plan for the entire course must include at least the following contents: the number of academic years and semesters, start time, and end time of the course.

b) The training plan for each academic year includes the training plan for each semester within that academic year, from the first semester to the last semester of the academic year.

The training plan for each academic year must include at least the following contents: the number of semesters, start time, and end time of the academic year, summer vacation, public holiday, and Tet break during the academic year.

c) The training plan for each semester must include at least the following contents: start time and end time of the semester, curriculum for each subject/module, location and time of implementation, theoretical and practical instructors for each subject/module during the semester and each study period (if there are two or more study periods in the semester).

Chapter III

ENROLLMENT FOR TRAINING; IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM;

 EXAMINATION, GRADING, AND CERTIFICATION OF COMPLETION

AND DIPLOMAS/CERTIFICATES OF COMPLETION

1. Enrollment for training at the college, intermediate, and basic levels under the work-study model shall be carried out according to Circular No. 05/2017/TT-BLDTBXH dated March 2, 2017 of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs regarding the regulations on enrollment and determination of enrollment quotas for intermediate and college levels (hereinafter referred to as Circular No. 05/2017/TT-BLDTBXH) for college and intermediate levels and Clause 3 of Article 14 and Article 15 of Circular No. 42/2015/TT-BLDTBXH for basic levels.

2. Vocational education centers and enterprises registered for vocational education at the basic level may enroll students for training at the basic level under the work-study model only after organizing regular training in the same field and level of training, submitting a registration report for training under the work-study model (according to Model No. 01 issued together with this Circular), and receiving written approval from the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs where the training takes place.

3. Intermediate schools may enroll students for training at the intermediate and basic levels under the work-study model only after organizing regular training in the same field and level of training, submitting a registration report for training under the work-study model (according to Model No. 01 issued together with this Circular), and receiving written approval from the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs where the school organizes training.

4. Colleges may enroll students for training at the college, intermediate, and basic levels under the work-study model only after organizing regular training in the same field and level of training, submitting a registration report for training under the work-study model (according to Model No. 01 issued together with this Circular), and receiving written approval from the General Department of Vocational Education.

5. Higher education institutions registered for vocational education at the college level may enroll students for training at the college level under the work-study model only after organizing regular training in the same field and level of training, submitting a registration report for training under the work-study model (according to Model No. 01 issued together with this Circular), and receiving written approval from the General Department of Vocational Education.

6. In cases where vocational education institutions or higher education institutions registered for vocational education at the college level cooperate with enterprises to order training, they may organize training when submitting a registration report for training under the work-study model (according to Model No. 02 issued together with this Circular) and receiving written approval from the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs (for vocational education centers, enterprises registered for vocational education, and intermediate schools) or the General Department of Vocational Education (for colleges and higher education institutions registered for vocational education at the college level).

Article 10. Implementation of training programs

1. Based on the regulations on the implementation of vocational training programs at college and intermediate levels as stipulated in Circular No. 09/2017/TT-BLDTBXH; and at basic level as stipulated in Circular No. 42/2015/TT-BLDTBXH, the head of the vocational training institution decides on the organization and implementation of training programs in a flexible manner regarding time and location, but must ensure the completion of the training program's content and prevent learners from having to relearn knowledge and skills they have already accumulated.

2. Training organization process

a) At the beginning of each course, the vocational training institution organizes an examination to consider and exempt subjects, modules, or credits that learners have completed with satisfactory results or accumulated credits before enrolling.

b) Before each subject or module, the teaching staff conducts an assessment of the learner's knowledge and skills to prepare appropriate teaching content.

c) Only teach contents and guide practical skills according to the requirements of subjects or modules that learners have not yet mastered or are not proficient in.

d) At the end of each study period or subject/module, learners perform their work tasks and self-study and practice the learned knowledge and skills to prepare for the final examination of the subject/module.

Article 11. Examination, Graduation Recognition

1. Examination, graduation recognition for college and intermediate level training programs conducted through combined work and study is implemented according to the provisions of Circular No. 09/2017/TT-BLDTBXH.

2. Examination, graduation recognition for basic level training programs conducted through combined work and study is implemented according to the provisions of Circular No. 42/2015/TT-BLDTBXH.

Article 12. Graduation Certificates and Certificates

1. Learners who complete the college-level training program through combined work and study will be awarded a college graduation certificate in accordance with Circular No. 10/2017/TT-BLDTBXH dated March 13, 2017, issued by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, which stipulates the model of graduation certificates for intermediate and college levels; printing, managing, issuing, recalling, and canceling graduation certificates in intermediate and college level training programs (hereinafter referred to as Circular No. 10/2017/TT-BLDTBXH).

2. Learners who complete the intermediate-level training program through combined work and study will be awarded an intermediate-level graduation certificate in accordance with Circular No. 10/2017/TT-BLDTBXH.

3. Learners who complete the basic-level training program through combined work and study will be awarded a basic-level certificate in accordance with Circular No. 42/2015/TT-BLDTBXH.

4. The models of graduation certificates and certificates; printing, managing, issuing, recalling, and canceling graduation certificates and certificates in college, intermediate, and basic level training programs conducted through combined work and study are implemented according to Circular No. 10/2017/TT-BLDTBXH for college and intermediate levels and Circular No. 42/2015/TT-BLDTBXH for basic level.

Chapter IV

ORGANIZATION AND IMPLEMENTATION

Article 13. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs

1. Direct the General Department of Vocational Education to guide, inspect, and supervise the implementation of higher vocational training at college, intermediate, and basic levels through combined work and study programs as prescribed, and the management responsibilities for such training at colleges and higher vocational training at university institutions according to the provisions of this Circular.

2. Organize inspections and supervision of the implementation of higher vocational training at college, intermediate, and basic levels through combined work and study programs as prescribed.

Article 14. Responsibilities of the General Department of Vocational Education

1. Implement management responsibilities for higher vocational training at college, intermediate, and basic levels through combined work and study programs at colleges and higher vocational training at university institutions according to the provisions of this Circular.

2. Guide, inspect, supervise, and compile reports on the implementation of higher vocational training at college, intermediate, and basic levels through combined work and study programs as prescribed.

Article 15. Responsibilities of Ministries and Agencies with Affiliated Vocational Training Institutions Implementing Higher Vocational Training at College, Intermediate, and Basic Levels Through Combined Work and Study Programs

1. Direct and guide affiliated vocational training institutions to implement higher vocational training at college, intermediate, and basic levels through combined work and study programs as prescribed.

2. Organize inspections, supervision, and compilation of reports on the implementation of higher vocational training at college, intermediate, and basic levels through combined work and study programs by affiliated vocational training institutions as prescribed.

Article 16. Responsibilities of Provincial People's Committees and Municipal People's Committees under Central Government

1. Direct the Departments of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs to fulfill management responsibilities for intermediate and basic level vocational training through combined work and study programs at intermediate schools, vocational education centers, and enterprises within their jurisdiction according to the provisions of this Circular.

2. Organize inspections, supervision, and compilation of reports on the implementation of higher vocational training at college, intermediate, and basic levels through combined work and study programs by vocational training institutions within their jurisdiction as prescribed.

Article 17. Responsibilities of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs

1. Fulfill management responsibilities for intermediate and basic level vocational training through combined work and study programs at intermediate schools, vocational education centers, and enterprises within their jurisdiction according to the provisions of this Circular.

2. Inspect and supervise the implementation of higher vocational training at college, intermediate, and basic levels through combined work and study programs by vocational training institutions within their jurisdiction as prescribed.

3. Compile reports on the implementation of higher vocational training at college, intermediate, and basic levels through combined work and study programs by vocational training institutions within their jurisdiction according to Clause 2 and Clause 3 of Article 36 of Circular No. 09/2017/TT-BLDTBXH for college and intermediate levels, and Clause 2 of Article 33 of Circular No. 42/2015/TT-BLDTBXH for basic levels.

Article 18. Responsibilities of Vocational Training Institutions

1. Submit training registration reports for combined work and study programs to competent authorities as prescribed in Article 9 of this Circular.

2. Organize higher vocational training at college, intermediate, and basic levels through combined work and study programs as prescribed in this Circular.

3. Implement reporting requirements for higher vocational training at college, intermediate, and basic levels through combined work and study programs as prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 36 of Circular No. 09/2017/TT-BLDTBXH for college and intermediate levels, and Clause 1 of Article 33 of Circular No. 42/2015/TT-BLDTBXH for basic levels.

Article 19. Implementation Provisions

1. This Circular takes effect from February 12, 2018.

2. Training courses for higher vocational training at college, intermediate, and basic levels through combined work and study programs that enroll students and commence before this Circular takes effect shall continue to be implemented according to previous regulations until the completion of the course.

3. During implementation, if there are any difficulties or new issues arise, please report to the Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs for guidance or supplementation and adjustment as appropriate./.