Myanmar urged to focus on human resources
Myanmar’s public and private sectors have been urged to put greater focus on the quality of university and vocational education to address the acute shortage of qualified workers faced by both local and foreign companies.
At a seminar on human resources last week, Oliver Massmann, general director of law firm Duane Morris Vietnam, said Myanmar’s new government should focus on both university and vocational training.
He added that the implementation of vocational training projects was a priority.
He also urged the government to undertake awareness-raising activities as soon as possible, a process he said took about 10 years in Vietnam. The lawyer underscored the importance of women’s empowerment in the nation’s growth.
"Myanmar needs to empower its women. You can see a lot of women working for companies and factories in Vietnam. Do not let the society separate women. Do not underestimate the power of women," he said.
He added that Myanmar could learn many things from Vietnam. One lesson was that the private sector should be empowered to lead the economy, while the role of state-owned enterprises should be reduced urgently.
"Develop fully by the private sector. Do that and you will be successful," he said. "Myanmar needs to go step by step. Vietnam was also a least-developed country 25 years ago. Now it has been the fastest-growing middle-income country in the region."
Phuong Anh Bui, human resources and organisational development partner of ActionAid International, added that vocational training would help create a qualified labour force.
Yap Kwong Wang, chief operating operator of Parami Energy, said employers had to motivate employees and provide them with vocational training to improve their skills and loyalty. He said training should be localised for development, adding that participation by stakeholders would lead to a strong Asean Economic Community in the near future, while Myanmar’s development would depend on its model of democracy and the extent of privatisation.
"Many things are happening in this country. The model of democracy will change Myanmar gradually. Even basic things cannot develop overnight. Myanmar can be prosperous and can keep abreast with the rest of Southeast Asia soon. So I personally hope to stay here," he said.
