Skills seen as key to future job openings
China’s vocational training programs, including 92 million subsidized trainees and 328 national occupational standards, are positioning it as a global leader in skilled labor, with alignment to WorldSkills standards and a focus on blending AI with human craftsmanship. The upcoming 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai will feature 1,400 competitors from 70 countries, showcasing China’s dominance in medals and its push for technological self-reliance.
China is leveraging its vast skilled labor force—over 220 million workers, including 72 million highly skilled—to shape the future of work amid technological advancements. During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025), the government trained 92 million people in vocational skills, introduced 72 new professions, and issued 328 national occupational standards to adapt to market demands. Changhee Lee, director of the International Labour Organization’s China office, emphasized that skills training acts as a bridge between current jobs and future opportunities, while WorldSkills International President Francis Hourant highlighted the enduring value of human craftsmanship alongside AI tools. The alignment of China’s vocational certification system with WorldSkills standards has strengthened its global competitiveness, a model Hourant praised as replicable worldwide. China’s success in the WorldSkills Competition—winning 93 gold medals and topping rankings for four consecutive editions—underscores its leadership in technical education. Huang Bolin, a gold medalist in joinery, noted that automation and manual skills can complement each other to advance intelligent manufacturing, reinforcing the idea that human expertise remains irreplaceable. The 48th WorldSkills Competition, set for Shanghai in September 2024, will bring together 1,400 competitors from 70 countries across 64 skill categories, aiming to set new records in participation and scale. Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng confirmed the event will expand venue capacity and member involvement. Meanwhile, Michael Hart of the American Chamber of Commerce in China attributed the country’s appeal to foreign investors—including U.S. firms—to its robust skilled workforce, which supports both production and innovation. China’s vocational training initiatives reflect its broader strategy to develop a modern industrial system and achieve technological self-reliance. The integration of AI with traditional craftsmanship, as demonstrated by competitors like Huang Bolin, signals a balanced approach to workforce development. With over 80 million professional technical personnel, China’s focus on skills-based education is not only addressing domestic labor needs but also influencing global standards through competitions like WorldSkills.
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