HCM CITY — Schneider Electric has partnered with Thủ Đức College of Technology to launch the Industrial Network and Energy Technology (INET) Lab, aimed at strengthening practice-based training for students in Việt Nam.

The facility, inaugurated with support from the Schneider Electric Foundation and industry partners, is the 10th institution to receive equipment under the foundation’s Centre of Excellence programme.

Đặng Nguyễn Ngữ, Cluster President of Schneider Electric Vietnam and Cambodia, said the initiative goes beyond financial support.

“Alongside funding most of the training equipment, we provide updated teaching materials and deploy experts to train lecturers," he said.

"Close collaboration between industry and academia will help develop a highly skilled workforce for the digital era."

Under the partnership, the foundation covered around 70 per cent of the lab’s equipment, including systems for industrial installation, automation and drives, as well as solar energy solutions and industrial communication and SCADA systems.

These technologies are expected to enhance hands-on learning and better prepare students for industry demands.

Phạm Hữu Lộc, Rector of the college, said the INET Lab reflects the institution’s commitment to applied training.

“It brings real-world technologies into the classroom, enabling students to gain practical experience with advanced, internationally standardised equipment, thereby improving their technical skills and job readiness,” he said.

Schneider Electric is currently expanding its education initiatives across Việt Nam, supporting more than 40 universities and colleges. The programme targets training and awareness-building in renewable energy, automation and sustainability for over 70,000 students between 2026 and 2030.

According to a 2025 study by GIZ and the NewClimate Institute, demand for skilled workers in Việt Nam’s renewable energy sector - particularly solar power - could reach around 200,000 jobs between 2030 and 2035, excluding additional needs in automation and smart energy management.

Through initiatives such as the INET Lab, Schneider Electric aims to support workforce development for Việt Nam’s energy transition, industrial modernisation and net zero ambitions by 2050. — VNS