Zhang Yunkai, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, has been actively promoting industrial upgrading and technological innovation through education during his first year in office. Serving as an industry “accelerator,” Zhang has focused on the integrated development of vocational education and industry to improve the capabilities of the service industry.
Having conducted in-depth research in dozens of companies and vocational schools, Zhang is set to present proposals during this year’s two sessions on how vocational education can enhance the development capabilities of the service industry. His recent visit to a typical intelligent manufacturing company highlighted the changing demands for skilled talents in the era of new technologies like the Internet and artificial intelligence.
With China aiming to achieve 70% digitalization and networking in manufacturing enterprises by 2025, the need for high-quality, skilled talent is paramount. However, Zhang discovered a gap in the matching degree between technical talents from vocational colleges and industrial development. He emphasized the importance of improving the adaptability of students to keep up with technological progress.
In addition to manufacturing companies, Zhang also pays attention to technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises, recognizing the importance of integrating science and education in vocational education. He noted the strong demand for technological advancements in these enterprises, highlighting the need for vocational schools to enhance their scientific and technological services.
Despite government initiatives to promote industry-education integration, Zhang found certain challenges in policy implementation. Issues such as coordination between different departments and enterprises were raised during his research, indicating a need for more effective collaboration between stakeholders.
Based on his findings, Zhang plans to propose suggestions for improving vocational education service industry development during this year’s Two Sessions. By strengthening technology research and development cooperation between vocational schools and enterprises, he aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, ultimately enhancing the level of the service industry.
As Zhang prepares to present his proposals, he emphasizes the importance of cultivating high-quality technical talents for industrial innovation. By promoting the integration of industry and education in vocational education, he envisions a modern vocational education system that aligns with market demand and supports industrial growth.
(CCTV reporter Gao Chenyuan, Hebei Station Shijiazhuang Station)