The Ministry of Education (MOE) and Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MHRSS) recently issued a joint document titled Opinions on Promoting Vocational Institutions Providing Continuing Education Services for Employees of Industries and Enterprises. The Opinion stated that by 2020, 1,000 vocational education institutions will be designated as prominent providers of continuing education services. By that time, the total number of employees receiving continuing education across the country will reach at least 150 million, while all vocational colleges must enrol at least 1.2 times as many continuing education students as full-time students. The Opinion calls for steady development of continuing education qualifications and extensive on-the-job technical and skills training, as well as advanced training for skilled engineers and senior technicians addressing the demands of cutting-edge industry. It also encourages training institutions to provide technical services for enterprises and promote a learning environment in the private sector.

Echoing the State Council's decision to promote modern vocational education, the Ministry of Education (MoE) also issued a supporting document on further promoting the establishment of vocational education groups made up of diverse shareholders, bringing together domestic or foreign vocational institutions with enterprises, research institutions or other social organizations. The MoE expects to see 300 leading vocational education groups emerge by 2020, coming from both existing vocational education groups and newly formed groups. The country's 1,048 groups as of the end of 2014 were formed with 46,000 member organisations, including 7,200 secondary vocational schools, 950 higher vocational institutions, 180 universities, 1,680 industry associations, 23,500 enterprises, 1,630 governmental departments, 920 research institutions and 1,450 other organizations. Provincial and municipal-level governments that have already drafted supporting policies for these vocational education groups include Fujian, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Liaoning, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shaanxi, Shandong, Yunnan and Zhejian.

Analysis by Liu Xiaoxiao, Education Services Manager and Kevin Prest, Senior Analyst:
The Chinese government is now calling for private and state-owned companies to become more involved in vocational education for their employees, including both classroom-based and on-the-job training. The government's encouragement of vocational education includes partnerships with not only domestic education institutions but also foreign colleges and training providers, while the companies being encouraged to invest in these partnerships include foreign-owned enterprises as well as local companies. This may create new opportunities for vocational education providers to enter the Chinese market.

Sources:
1. http://www.moe.edu.cn/srcsite/A07/moe_743/s3867/201507/t20150714_193829…
2. http://www.moe.edu.cn/jyb_xwfb/gzdt_gzdt/s5987/201507/t20150716_194065…
3. http://www.moe.edu.cn/jyb_xwfb/gzdt_gzdt/s5987/201507/t20150723_195241…