Ningbo builds skilled workforce with world-class talent

Zhou Le (first from left) stands on the podium at the WorldSkills Competition. [Photo/WeChat account: nbfb0574]

Ningbo competitor Zhou Le won silver in heavy vehicle technology at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, which concluded in Shanghai on Sept 27, adding another international medal to the city's vocational skills record.

Ningbo competitors have now earned three gold medals, one silver, and one Medallion for Excellence at the WorldSkills competitions. Previous winners include Jiang Xinhua in heavy vehicle technology in 2022, and Zhou Feng and Kang Bangcheng in construction metal work and cooking, respectively, in 2024.

Behind these achievements lies a broader effort to develop skilled workers for Ningbo's manufacturing sector. The city is home to nearly 2.16 million skilled workers, including 790,000 highly skilled professionals.

At Ningbo Technician College, former WorldSkills competitors have returned to teach, bringing techniques from international competition into everyday vocational training.

Training also extends beyond classrooms. Ningbo operates public training centers and apprenticeship programs, while more than 700 companies have developed their own skills assessment systems.

Industry partnerships are another priority. Haitian Group has invested more than 100 million yuan ($14.93 million) in a 12,000-square-meter training facility, working with educational institutions to prepare workers for the plastics machinery industry. More than 5,000 trainees have entered companies along its supply chain.

In September, Ningbo also formed a vocational education alliance comprising 17 technical colleges, 44 companies, and 10 industry associations, aiming to better align training with employers' needs.