New careers released by ministry

Latest professions aim to increase employment and entrepreneurship

Eighteen new professions including robotics engineering technician, family education mentor and homestay steward were released on Tuesday, followed by a weeklong campaign soliciting opinions about them from the public until Monday before their official recognition.

The campaign also aims to boost employment and entrepreneurship opportunities among new college graduates.

The new professions have been created because of the development of the digital economy and people's ever-growing need for better services, said the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The ministry began evaluating the new professions with the State Administration for Market Regulation and National Bureau of Statistics in April.

For example, the profession of robotics engineering technician has emerged because of the booming digital economy. The profession is responsible for the research and development of the control algorithms and operating systems of robots, as well as the use of digital simulation technology.

The new profession of digital agriculture engineer involves the combination of digital technology and traditional agriculture to help the industry develop better by optimizing farming methods and industry structure.

The other new professions like homestay steward and family education mentor have come about because of people's desire for better services, according to the ministry.

Shi Meili, a 31-year-old from the village of Xijingyu in Tianjin began working as a homestay steward for a homestay run by online travel agency Tuniu in April 2021.

"As a steward, we usually set up a WeChat group with the customer soon after she or he makes a reservation, in which we give them tips on transportation, food and weather before their check-ins," she said.

"We guide the customer on the day they plan to check in and introduce some basic information about the homestay."

Shi said that in addition to some basic services, homestay stewards are required to deal with emergencies and purchases of daily supplies. Their work also includes streamlining the running of homestays and keeping costs down.

Fu Congwei, vice-president of X-band Tourism Group, said it started to employ homestay stewards from 2018. They are responsible for offering tailored and high-end services to customers and act also as guides to help customers explore the local area during their stays.

"The steward is a new profession distinguished from traditional social work, which stands for a lifestyle, rather than being just a job. A steward shares his or her knowledge and perception of nature, social interchange and history with the customer. A steward, from my perspective, should be a generalist in life," he said.

Fu added that the emergence of the profession will attract more young people who wish to work at a slower pace. The boom in leisure tourism and travel to rural areas will also bring benefits to the profession's future development.

According to the human resources ministry, publicizing the 18 new professions is of great importance to improving workers' sense of identity, and for the reform of vocational education.

The ministry will draft working standards for these new professions and offer training courses upon official approval.