Skill Demands of Vietnamese Textile and Footwear Enterprises in the Context of Digital Transformation

Abstract

Digital transformation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution are fundamentally reshaping skill requirements in Vietnam’s textile and footwear enterprises. This paper investigates the issue from the perspective of business owners and human resource managers, aiming to identify current skill shortages and forecast future skill demands in the sector. The study is based on survey data from 50 textile and footwear companies across the country, analyzing workforce skill needs and challenges faced by enterprises in recruitment and training. The findings reveal that most companies rate their current workforce’s skills as only moderately aligned with job requirements. Emerging skills-such as digital literacy, operation of advanced machinery, and problem-solving are increasingly critical. Over half of the surveyed enterprises reported a shortage of skilled labor, particularly in technical and managerial positions. Many face significant difficulties in recruitment and training, largely due to limited availability of qualified workers, time constraints, and budgetary limitations. These findings underscore the urgency of human capital development and call for businesses to adopt more proactive human resource strategies in the digital era.