Turning point for labor

"One example of a new course we started in recent years is aircraft manufacturing, as a result of China's aerospace industry growth. We developed a syllabus based on industry needs and we brought in European experts to help develop this course," he says.

Zhang says a key lesson China's education system could learn from Germany is allowing children to follow their interests at an early age, so technicians can become highly skilled through training over a long period of time.

"In Germany, students as young as fourth grade in primary school can choose a vocational education route if that is where their interests are," Zhang says.

"Typically the students with less talent for academic learning will choose vocational studies but eventually they can become respected technicians who demonstrate great dedication and professional ethics."

He says that in comparison Chinese students are required to take a large number of core subjects all the way to the end of high school and hence have a late start in acquiring technical skills compared with Western workers.

Benefits to nations

Zhang's views are shared by Gao Hong, CEO of China German Education Group, who adds that vocational training has greatly helped countries such as Germany develop advanced technologies because it teaches students important values including dedication and the constant willingness to learn.

"In Germany, technicians follow a culture of constant learning, so they readily return to education to update themselves on the latest skills, or acquire new knowledge when they change jobs or positions," Gao says.

Gao says another advantage of Germany's vocational education system is its responsiveness to market needs.

For example, on average about 30 professions cease to exist every year because the specific skills concerned are no longer needed in the job market. But at the same time new occupations are created, so vocational education is essential to train staff, Gao says.

There are several important lessons for China to learn, Gao says, as the nation is in the process of upgrading its industries. Efficient vocational education will help boost productivity.

"China has an abundance of labor. Even the number of new generation migrants (born after 1980) amount to more than 100 million. They provide big opportunities to propel the economy and, as such improving their skills levels is important," Gao says.

China German Education Group currently focuses on supporting and advising the Chinese government and vocational education colleges. At the same time it also provides vocational training courses for companies, Gao says.

Good quality vocational training courses can even be a route for academic graduates to fit into China's increasingly challenging labor market, says Britta Buschfeld, head of recruitment, training and vocational training services for the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce (AHK) in China.

She says that China needs to work on improving the image of vocational education, so that parents and students will not stick to only academic careers.

To help vocational education organizations and companies implement good programs in China, AHK provides quality assurance and certification services, as well as matchmaking and consultation services.

Meanwhile, training is also taking place at many service companies, including the hospitality sector and senior care, because China's urbanization process has created increasing demand for these industries.