China aims for skilled workers to make up 35% of employment by 2030

China aims to raise skilled workers' share of employment to 35% by 2030, Wu Liduo (吴礼舵), director of the Human Resources and Social Security Ministry's vocational-capacity department, said on October 10. He outlined the goal at a State Council Information Office briefing on employment and social security during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. The ministry would pursue the target through a training initiative focused on improving workers' prospects through skills. [ 1 , 5 ]

Wu said the ministry would deepen implementation of the new eight-level vocational-skills grading system and promote skilled-worker pay-distribution guidelines. He said these measures were intended to give skilled personnel room to develop and guarantees on remuneration. China News Service also reported plans to publicise stories of advancement through skills and organise awards and recognition for outstanding skilled workers, encouraging greater interest and participation in skills development. [ 1 , 5 ]

Responding to a question from Yicai, Wu outlined plans to bring WorldSkills competition achievements into classrooms, workshops and other skills competitions. Competition technical specifications would be converted into occupational standards, course materials and practical-training resources, while methods used to train competitors would be adapted for everyday teaching. He also said the ministry would learn from WorldSkills concepts and standards to improve China's vocational-skills competition system. [ 1 ]

Yicai reported that Wu also proposed using the WorldSkills platform to participate in global skills development. He outlined efforts to turn China's industrial and vocational-skills standards into internationally used specifications, continue skills cooperation under the Belt and Road initiative and pursue mutual recognition of international vocational-skills certificates. [ 1 ]