Shanghai takes a skilled approach

Shanghai gives about 50 million yuan (US$7.5 million) in subsidies every year to support training for graduates, people undergoing drug rehabilitation programs, and for people in prison, the city government said yesterday.

Migrants working into the city also received subsidies from the state for vocational training.

Shanghai had over a million people rated as highly skilled professionals, or “talent,” by the end of 2016.

As the host city of the 46th WorldSkills Competition in 2021, Shanghai is now strengthening its vocational skills education and training, as well as its drive to train talents.

Since 2010, a special vocational training for migrant workers had trained more than 2 million people by last August.

Another program offering training to those caring for the elderly care has trained 82,000 people so far and the number is set to be raised to 100,000 by 2020.

A cooperation program between local companies and schools for a new apprenticeship system that provides training in both education and skills is operating on a trial basis. There are 53 training programs, with 29 firms involved.

A “Thousand Talent Plan” for skilled craftsmen has sponsored 1,217 people and had helped to build 136 “skill master” workshops by the end of last year, the government said.

Companies are encouraged to organize their own internal training for the employees.

A public service platform has been set up for middle, small and micro-sized businesses, collecting their requirements on training and recommending related professional training agencies for them.

Various skill competitions are in the planning stages and selection of Shanghai’s contestants for the 45th WorldSkills Competition in 2019 has begun.

Shanghai, meanwhile, is gearing for organizing the teams working for the 46th WorldSkills and setting the schedules.

The city plans to enhance its communications with the WorldSkills secretariat as well as with officials from countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany and Russia that have all hosted the WorldSkills Competition.