“An advanced manufacturing industry is the bedrock for building a modernized economic system and improving the quality of economic development, and advanced manufacturing must be underpinned by a talented work force,” CPPCC representative Li Shouzhen said. “Vocational education is still a weak link in China’s national education system. The potential of our rich human resources has yet to be fully tapped. We must further develop vocational education as a strategic priority.”

Li tabled a 5-point proposal. First, the Implementation Plan for the National Vocational Education Reform should be fully carried through, and the existing vocational education and training system should be further improved to pave the way for all students to have a chance  forat success in life. Second, civil society groups, such as the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, should be invited to attend the State Council’s Inter-Ministry Joint Conference on Vocational Education as a participant or observer. Third, resource sharing arrangements should be established between regular higher education institutions and vocational schools, and access to universities should be opened for vocational school students. Fourth, vocational schools, training agencies and businesses should work together to create a strong pipeline of skilled workers who have the technical, academic and hands-on training manufacturing businesses need. Fifth, more robust approaches to educating, training and hiring skilled workers should be put in place, including more rigorous evaluations of teaching in vocational schools and supervision of spending by businesses on employee training.