Apple supplier Luxshare-ICT seeks recruitment support in central Vietnam

China’s Luxshare-ICT, a supplier to Apple, has asked authorities in Nghe An province for support in tackling labor recruitment challenges.

The company started its Luxshare-ICT Nghe An project in August 2019, which covers 15.6 hectares in VSIP Nghe An, an industrial park under the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) model.

In a document recently sent to the provincial People’s Committee, Luxshare-ICT Nghe An said it currently employs nearly 20,000 workers in the locality.

The company noted that workforce stability and a sustainable labor supply will be key factors influencing its future investment scale in the province.

Luxshare-ICT Nghe An director Wu Zhi De, therefore, called on the committee to instruct the provincial Department of Home Affairs and local training institutions to tailor their curricula to the specific labor needs of the electronics industry.

He suggested greater alignment between training programs and the production pace of businesses.

The director also proposed the establishment of a tripartite coordination mechanism between schools, businesses, and authorities, with the latter acting as facilitators to support systematic collaboration between the two others.

The company said businesses should be allowed to take part in designing internship programs based on real-time production conditions, enabling phased intake of interns to form a long-term, sustainable internship framework.

The company also suggested the committee convene a meeting to revise training plans, with the participation of school principals.

The firm is set to roll out an internship program in 2025, targeting 8,000 students from vocational schools, colleges, and universities. Placements will last between three and four months.

Clear tax incentives for corporate sponsorships in education

Wu said the company plans to donate equipment, machinery, and teaching tools to vocational schools in Nghe An to support hands-on training and improve teaching quality.

However, as an export-processing enterprise, it faces regulatory hurdles related to repurposing equipment, along with customs procedures, import tax rules, and value-added tax policies.

Given this, the company called on Nghe An to provide clear guidance on tax incentives applicable to export-processing firms donating equipment to vocational education institutions.

The Departments of Education Training, and Finance, along with other relevant agencies, should be instructed to publish a list of public training institutions in Nghe An and clarify the applicable tax policies for equipment donations to these schools.

Luxshare-ICT Nghe An suggested that relevant agencies coordinate with customs authorities to provide detailed guidance on procedures for repurposing equipment and filing electronic customs declarations.

It proposed the designation of a focal agency and the establishment of a fast-track approval process, as well as guidance for schools on properly documenting and receiving donated equipment in compliance with regulations.

Bui Thanh An, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, has tasked the Department of Home Affairs to coordinate with the Department of Education and Training and the Southeast Nghe An Economic Zone Authority to consider forming a task force.

The team, to be led by an official from the Department of Home Affairs, will support labor recruitment efforts for Luxshare-ICT and other companies operating in the Southeast Economic Zone.

In addition, the Department of Education and Training will play the main role in working with universities, colleges, and vocational schools across the province to inform them about current internship needs and consider adjusting academic schedules.

The Department of Finance, in coordination with other agencies, will review Luxshare-ICT’s proposals and provide guidance on tax incentives applicable to the company.