Vocational training program leads town residents to better lives

The government of Gaobadian town in Shangluo, Northwest China's Shaanxi province has helped local residents lead a better life by organizing vocational training classes and setting up factories.

The factories, specialized in a wide range of fields, including fungi, egg processing and electronic device components' production, employed at least 580 villagers, among whom 320 were from impoverished families, according to Yang Hao, Party chief of Gaobadian town.

Li Xiaoyun, a villager from Gaobadian, started working at a factory producing components for electronic devices in August last year. Working five days a week, she could earn more than 2,000 yuan ($286) a month.

"Before working here, my two sons and I totally relied on my husband for support, which means life was very difficult for us," she recalled. "Now with my salary earned from working at the factory, our life is better."

In a classroom in the Gaobadian's Fuqiao residential community, women from the community are being trained in housekeeping skills.

The training, organized by the local Human Resources and Social Security Bureau with a goal of helping women master vocational skills and gain some advantages in the job market, has been held three times since August last year, said Yang, Gaobadian's Party chief.

At least 100 residents took part in the training each time. Le Shuyun, a 40-year-old resident of the Fuqiao community, is one of them.

As a former full-time housewife, Le had stayed at home taking care of her four children and her husband had to financially support the family of six on his own.

To reduce her husband's burden, Le decided to learn some skills and hunt for a job. She thought taking the training classes was a good opportunity to achieve her goals.

"The teacher is very patient and teaches well, and I learned a lot of knowledge and techniques on cooking, taking care of children and seniors," said Le, who planned to find a job as a babysitter or as a restaurant server in the town.

"I hope I can land a good job after the training," she added.