China-ASEAN Partnership Fuels Global Workforce Growth
A burgeoning partnership between China and the Association of southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is revolutionizing vocational training,creating a globally skilled workforce and impacting industries worldwide. This collaboration, especially strong in Guangxi province, is equipping young professionals with the skills needed to thrive in a competitive global market.
Take Muhammad Luthfi Adri, a 21-year-old student from Jakarta State Polytechnic in Indonesia. He’s currently enrolled in a specialized excavator after-sales service program at Liuzhou Polytechnic University in China. “I’ve learned advanced theoretical knowledge and practical skills from this program,” Adri shared, highlighting the program’s effectiveness.
This program, a joint venture between Guangxi LiuGong Machinery Co., Ltd., Liuzhou Polytechnic university, and other partners, isn’t just about classroom learning. It combines theoretical instruction with hands-on internships at LiuGong, providing students with invaluable real-world experience.
The initiative underscores the growing importance of vocational education in the China-ASEAN relationship. It’s a key component of broader regional cooperation, encompassing degree programs, employer-sponsored training, and short-term exchanges designed to meet the evolving demands of various industries across ASEAN.
Guangxi’s role is pivotal.The province has established 17 vocational institutes specifically catering to ASEAN markets, focusing on sectors like agriculture, transportation, and energy. These institutes are strategically designed to align training with the needs of businesses operating across borders.
For global companies like LiuGong, which distributes products to over 180 countries, these partnerships are crucial for securing a skilled workforce. “Joining the training program gives students a chance to work with a leading company and grow into key players in the field,” explained Luo Guobing, LiuGong’s senior vice president. Many graduates now work at LiuGong’s ASEAN subsidiaries, gaining international experience and contributing their expertise.
The impact extends beyond individual careers. Intira Punwilai, a Thai graduate of a Liuzhou mechatronics program, now works for a high-tech Chinese company in Thailand. Her technical skills and Chinese language proficiency have made her a valuable asset, even mentoring new trainees.
Guangxi’s commitment to this initiative also includes the development of multilingual training materials in languages like Thai and Indonesian, further supporting workforce development across ASEAN nations like Thailand, Myanmar, and Indonesia.
“Industries like textiles, e-commerce, and tourism are growing rapidly in ASEAN, creating a strong demand for vocational training,” noted Huang Rongmei, director of the International exchange Affairs Office at Guangxi Economic and Trade Vocational Institute. “Closer cooperation in these areas is conducive to the industrial growth in ASEAN and the sound development of the regional economy,” she added.
This China-ASEAN collaboration serves as a model for international workforce development, demonstrating the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships to address global skill gaps and foster economic growth.
