A helping hand? FDI and training of local personnel : A case study of a Norwegian company in Vietnam

Abstract

This is a case study of a Norwegian company and its affiliate in Vietnam. The purpose is to evaluate the knowledge and skill transfers that take place through training, and the benefits this has for the employees and the local society. There is a particular focus on technical and vocational education and training (TVET). The study is based on qualitative interviews with corporate employees in Norway, administrative employees and managers in Vietnam, operators and warehouse workers in Vietnam and representatives for organizations working with TVET and with support to Norwegian industry in Vietnam. However, the company is currently not involved in any cooperation with local TVET institutions. The findings show that the company is providing both informal and formal training to their employees and that they offer training courses at the local level as well as in the region and globally. However, lower educated employees, operators and warehouse staff are mainly receiving task specific on-the-job training. Still, the interviewees are mainly expressing appreciation about their job and their job conditions.