Ho Chi Minh City, September 28, 2026 — Navigos Group officially participates in the 2026 Universities–Businesses Cooperation Forum, themed “Connecting Training Demands and High-quality Human Resources for Emerging Technology Industries.” Directed by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) and jointly organized by Van Lang University and Navigos Group, the event brings together representatives from over 90 universities and colleges, as well as experts and businesses operating in various sectors such as information technology, artificial intelligence, education technology, human resources, finance-banking, and manufacturing. 

Addressing the “Supply-Demand” Challenge for New Technology Talent 

Amid the rapid expansion of the digital economy and the surging waves of new science, technology, and digital transformation, Vietnam’s labor market is undergoing a significant shift in workforce structure. The Forum is organized to address the imperative of developing high-quality human resources in alignment with Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW—focusing on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation and Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW, which targets breakthroughs in education and training development. At the same time, the Law on Digital Technology Industry establishes a legal framework to foster closer ties between higher education institutions and businesses regarding the development of the digital workforce. 

Deputy Minister of Education and Training Le Quan delivered the opening speech at the Forum

Despite surging recruitment demand in these sectors, the skills mismatch between students the young workforce and businesses remains a significant challenge. The 2026 Universities–Businesses Cooperation Forum aims to create a platform for strategic dialogue, promoting a substantive “training-on-demand” mechanism between the education sector and the business community. In doing so, the Forum provides a space for educational institutions and employers to directly discuss workforce needs, training requirements, and potential collaboration opportunities. 

The 2026 Universities-Businesses Cooperation Forum, directed by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) and jointly organized by Van Lang University and Navigos Group

In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Le Quan emphasized that rapid technological advancements are creating unprecedented workforce challenges for both educational institutions and enterprises. In fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and advanced materials, the market demands not only highly qualified personnel to spearhead research and innovation but also skilled professionals capable of operational management and execution. 

Strong growth in recruitment demand for young talent in 2026

Data from VietnamWorks and Upzi indicates that 30% of employers plan to recruit fresh graduates in 2026. The demand for fresh graduates has been steadily rising year-over-year; specifically, demand in the first half of 2026 surged by 180% compared to the first half of 2023. 

Fresh graduates rank second in recruitment priority (30.8%), reflecting a trend toward expanding teams with young talent who are adaptable and receptive to training. This approach represents a “cost-optimization and long-term investment” strategy, enabling businesses to replenish their workforce amidst skills shortages and intensifying competition for talent. Furthermore, young workers offer distinct advantages in adapting to new technologies, particularly automation tools. 

Bridging the Gap Between Employers and Young Talent 

Despite abundant job opportunities, a gap persists between corporate expectations and the actual capabilities of young workers. Despite a growing number of top-tier and distinction graduates, a gap remains between their academic credentials and actual employability requirements. 

Amid the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and global economic fluctuations, the landscape of essential skills is shifting rapidly. According to Katz’s model, workers need to be equipped with three core skill sets: cognitive and thinking skills; interpersonal skills; and technological/technical skills. 

The Navigos Group Salary and Labor Market Report 2026 also highlights a notable gap between enterprises and young talent: 78.5% of young professionals express a desire to be updated and trained in new technologies, while 69.9% wish to learn new skills. However, actual corporate investment in soft skills and digital skills training remains limited across many companies. This poses a potential risk to the retention of Gen Z a workforce characterized by high mobility and a strong emphasis on personal development. Digital proficiency is also identified as one of the three core competencies essential for society and businesses, alongside foreign languages and practical execution skills. 

Mr. Hirohide Uchiyama, Head of Marketing and representative of Navigos Group, presented on the topic “Insights from Labor Market Trends and Employer Expectations in the AI era”

This urgent need to enhance capabilities and equip workers with adaptive skill sets was also a central focus of in-depth sharing from the business community at the forum. Speaking at the event, Mr. Hirohide Uchiyama, Head of Marketing and representative of Navigos Group, emphasized the trio of essential skills required for workers: “Employees not only need technical skills, but they must also develop human skills and conceptual skills.” 

Navigos Group is committed to fostering a high-quality workforce 

To bridge the supply-demand gap and nurture the next generation of talent, Navigos Group is actively leveraging its role as a strategic link between the education sector and the business community. With a network of over 60,000 partner enterprises and a comprehensive recruitment ecosystem, Navigos Group consistently provides keen market insights while connecting students with opportunities for practical experience. 

Notably, through Upzi a career guidance and job-seeking platform tailored for Gen Z Navigos Group assists universities in establishing early employer branding touchpoints, helping young people prepare for their futures while still in school. Upzi reached over 250,000 users within a year of its 2025 launch, reflecting the significant demand among young people to find suitable employment and build a solid foundation for long-term careers. 

A key highlight of the event was the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between Navigos Group and Van Lang University, as well as between Navigos Group and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City. These signings mark Navigos Group’s strategic, ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between academia and the business sector, paving the way for training programs closely aligned with the recruitment needs of the new technology market. 

Navigos Group and Van Lang University signed Memoranda of Understanding

Navigos Group and Univeristy of Economics Ho Chi Minh City signed Memoranda of Understanding

About Navigos Group 

Founded in 2002, Navigos Group is a trusted recruitment service provider in Vietnam, offering a comprehensive ecosystem that includes Upzi, VietnamWorks, and Navigos Search. With the mission of helping job seekers achieve their career dreams and empowering businesses to succeed through comprehensive HR solutions, Navigos Group continuously innovates and bridges the gap between education and enterprises, contributing to high-quality human resources for both domestic and international labor markets. Since 2013, Navigos Group has been a member of en Japan, a Tokyo-based global HR services corporation. To date, Navigos Group has marked over 23 years of operation in Vietnam. 

About Navigos Search 

Navigos Search is a middle and senior-level executive search brand in Vietnam. With over 20 years of experience, Navigos Search possesses a vast talent pool across various levels, supported by a team of expert recruiters with deep market insights and extensive industry expertise. 

About VietnamWorks 

With over 9 million monthly visits, VietnamWorks is the trusted job portal in Vietnam. Every day, VietnamWorks connects more than 6 million experienced job seekers with new career opportunities while high-quality recruitment solutions for over 70,000 companies, ranging from multinational corporations to trusted brands in Vietnam. Its robust database of experienced professionals and reputable employers is a valuable asset in Vietnam’s competitive recruitment market. 

About Upzi 

Positioned as a “Trusted Companion,” Upzi is a career guidance and job-seeking platform that empowers the younger generation with a solid foundation to start their careers confidently and with clear direction. Guided by three core values, Upzi helps young people proactively manage their professional journeys by: discovering personalized career roadmaps tailored to their majors, strengths, and interests; accessing suitable job opportunities recommended by AI, ranging from internships to first full-time jobs; and developing essential skills to prepare for the future labor market. Upzi is a strategic solution by Navigos Group aimed at cultivating the next generation of quality talent for Vietnam’s workforce.