Ricoh Group and REACH implement digital support course for young people

Ricoh Group and REACH are implementing the Digital Support Programme for Young People in Vietnam. Photo: Shutterstock

This programme aims to help young people in Vietnam who face challenges in the workforce due to limited educational opportunities or family circumstances. Launched in 2023, the scheme achieved results beyond expectations regarding working conditions, living environment, and income, which led to the implementation of this programme for the second consecutive year.

While society is increasingly digitalised, a digital divide (information gap) is emerging among the younger generation. Families with lower incomes are less likely to have access to a PC, which contributes to the digital divide and raises hurdles to employment.

REACH, a non-profit organisation, offers high-quality vocational training and job placement support for young people (ages 16-30) in Vietnam. The organisation focuses on those facing significant barriers such as disabilities, poverty, or challenging family circumstances, ensuring they have access to opportunities otherwise unavailable. Since its inception in 2008, REACH has provided training to over 22,000 young people. The curriculum is designed to equip students with the competencies and work ethic that employers value and soft skills related to communication, problem-solving, work readiness, time and money management, and personal integrity.

In 2024, REACH will once again recruit and train young people through a comprehensive three-month course. This includes soft skills workshops and technical training in graphic design, ensuring participants are well-prepared to enter the workforce with confidence. During the soft skills training, Ricoh Vietnam employees will participate for free and provide lectures on job searching, resume writing, other topics, and one-on-one interview practice.

Since 2021, Ricoh Company, Ltd. and Ricoh Japan have been implementing the Digital Support Programme for Youth for four consecutive years in collaboration with Sodateage Net, a non-profit organisation. In 2023, Ricoh initiated the intiative in Vietnam as the first overseas initiative in partnership with REACH, aiming to expand its scope of support.

In April 2023, Ricoh Group revised its corporate philosophy, the Ricoh Way, and established “Fulfilment Through Work” as its new mission and vision. To achieve this, the group aims to contribute to a sustainable society where job satisfaction and economic growth are achieved by providing digital services that respect the culture and customs of countries and regions under partnerships with like-minded individuals.

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