China trains new-generation worker
Chen Meina, a 29-year-old elderly carer, made a deliberate choice to stay in Germany and continue with her work during the Spring Festival, rather than returning to her hometown in northeast China’s Liaoning Province.
“I’ve been studying and working in Germany for more than five years. I incorporate traditional Chinese medicine nursing skills into my daily work, and many elderly individuals here appreciate it,” Chen said.
Chen graduated from Liaoning Vocational College of Medicine in 2018. The institution is run by the provincial government to cultivate highly skilled professionals in nursing, pharmacy and medicine.
In that same year, an educational cooperation agreement was signed between the vocational college and Germany’s Oscar Kemmel Vocational College for a nursing talent training program. Subsequently, the first batch of 17 Chinese students pursued studies in Germany, with six opting to serve as elderly care workers in German nursing homes, including Chen.
In recent years, China has actively expanded its vocational education to align with the demands of enterprises. According to this year’s government work report, the country will redouble its efforts to improve vocational education. Thanks to diverse programs, the country’s vocational education has embraced international cooperation.
Cultivating quality professionals
The Luban Workshop exemplifies a mutually beneficial model for international vocational education cooperation. Named after Lu Ban, an ancient Chinese woodcraft master, this workshop offers vocational skills training for local communities. Similar workshops have been established in Thailand, India, Indonesia and other countries.
Statistics show that in the past decade since the inception of the Belt and Road Initiative, more than 400 higher vocational colleges in China and foreign educational institutions have forged cooperation in running schools, with Luban Workshop established in more than 20 countries.
Many vocational education programs from China have also been introduced in the Belt and Road participating countries, cultivating high-quality professional employees.
In 2017, the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway, a Belt and Road flagship project jointly built by China Road and Bridge Corp and the Kenya government, officially opened to traffic. Two vocational colleges from Liaoning sent their staff to Kenya and helped Kenya train more than 300 railway workers.
“Recently, we’ve signed two new international joint education programs, mainly serving the construction of China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway and China-Mongolia railway. Compared with previous programs, we are paying more attention to the employment and technical needs of the enterprises this time,” said Dong Yanan, vice president of Liaoning Railway Vocational and Technical College.
At present, China has the world’s largest vocational education system. According to data released by the Ministry of Education in 2023, there are 9,752 secondary vocational schools in the country, with more than 17.8 million students. In 2022, there were 1,521 higher vocational schools with an enrollment of 5.46 million students. These institutions annually produce approximately 10 million high-quality technical personnel.
Overseas programs
“Many believe that only students with good academic performance from famous universities have the opportunity to study abroad. Now, we can also study abroad through our own efforts and excellent vocational skills, which is a great encouragement to me,” said Chen Xingwang, one of the six students from the School of Economics and Management at Guangzhou Nanyang Polytechnic College who studied in South Korea last year.
In order to better serve the development of Chinese enterprises overseas, 18 vocational colleges in south China’s Guangdong Province have launched 39 overseas education programs.
Shenzhen Polytechnic University has collaborated with enterprises such as China’s tech giant Huawei to establish seven overseas vocational education and training centers in five countries, including Bulgaria and Germany.
“I would like to thank Guangdong Industry Polytechnic for its professional lectures, and the teachers’ ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and enthusiastically makes each class both educational and enjoyable,” said Chan Sai Keong, dean of Business, Information and Human Sciences of Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur.
China has also invited its global partners to empower the development of its vocational education.
Since 2013, BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd, located in Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning, has run a vocational program. Collaborating with vocatio schools, BMW Brilliance develops dustry-relevant courses that align w the needs of both the schools and company. This initiative aims to of students more comprehensive pra cal training and on-the-job interns opportunities.
Currently, two vocational colleges a BMW Brilliance are jointly buildin program. Every year, the company lects some students who will go fr vocational colleges and training c ters to on-the-job internships, a can get employed after they pass examinations.
“Thanks to the program, I imme ately got a job after graduation,” s Sun Haoran, 22, a maintenance wor at the company’s production line.
“Last year, I spent eight weeks Munich on the BMW Group’s global prenticeship exchange program. I w exposed to advanced equipment a acquired a deeper understanding equipment maintenance,” Sun added
Colleges and enterprises in Liaon have also signed cooperation agreeme with educational institutions in so Belt and Road participating countrie build “Mozi workshop.” Named after ancient Chinese philosopher Mozi, a known as Micius, the workshop aim train skilled craftsmen like Mozi.
“Vocational education exchange i pragmatic move to meet the devel ment needs of enterprises in the cont of economic globalization. It encompa es technical and cultural exchange a dialogue, playing an important role promoting the development of China a Belt and Road participating countri said Lao Hansheng, head of Guangdo Lingnan Institute of Technology.
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