This article illustrates the challenges of implementing a cost and beneft study in Vietnam. It discusses the application of the BIBB cost - beneft model, the implementation of the survey, and the interpretation of the main results under special consideration of the different contextual conditions. | RESEARCH, EXCHANGE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF COMPANY BASED TRAINING IN VIETNAM Chances and limitations of applying the BIBB cost-benefit-model ANIKA JANSEN * STEFFEN HORN NGUYEN HOANG NGUYEN Many countries aim to involve more companies in the vocational education and training system. Transparency of the actual costs and benefits of company - based training activities helps governmental authorities to steer this process adequately and can be used to convince firms to increase their involvement in company - based training. This article illustrates the challenges of implementing a cost and benefit study in Vietnam. It discusses the application of the BIBB cost - benefit model, the implementation of the survey, and the interpretation of the main results under special consideration of the different contextual conditions. Background In contrast to the German Dual System, which has a long tradition of high participation by firms, the TVET system in Vietnam is mainly organized in a schoolbased way. Company involvement in TVET is relatively low and consists mainly of the implementation of internship programs within the scope of school-based initial vocational education. Consideration also needs to be given to the fact that these internship programs are neither standardized with respect to content nor with respect to duration. The Vietnamese Government has recognized this as a problem and initiated a comprehensive reform of the vocational education system. One focus in this reform process is on improving the cooperation between vocational training institutes and firms as well as on extending and improving the company-based training phases. Moreover, in the course of the current reform process, the aim is to improve the monitoring and reporting system of the vocational education sector. Since 2010, BIBB, the National Institute of Vocational Training in Vietnam (NIVT), and the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (GIZ) [German Agency for International
