Current State of Training and Retraining for Workers Affected by Technological Innovation in Vietnam’s Textile and Garment Industry

As the Fourth Industrial Revolution rapidly transforms Vietnam’s textile and garment industry, advanced technologies such as automation, artificial intelligence, and smart manufacturing systems are increasingly replacing manual labor, putting many workers at risk of unemployment. In this context, training and retraining have become essential to maintaining workforce competitiveness and ensuring social security. This study examines the current state of training practices within textile and garment enterprises in Vietnam. It highlights certain strengths - particularly the proactive efforts of larger firms - while also identifying common shortcomings such as the absence of long-term human resource strategies, outdated training approaches, limited collaboration with vocational institutions, and financial constraints. Most workers express a desire to improve skills related to their existing jobs, reflecting a preference for job stability over occupational change. Based on these insights, the paper proposes several solutions to enhance the effectiveness of training programs and promote lifelong learning among the workforce. Keywords: Fourth Industrial Revolution, Textile and Garment Industry, Workforce Development.