Building the Teaching Workforce in China’s Vocational Education: Achievements, Experience, and Prospects

Abstract Building a high-quality contingent of craftsman-teachers is the foundation and guarantee for cultivating more great-country craftsmen and highly skilled personnel. Over the past decade and more, the number of full-time teachers in China’s vocational education has increased by 180,000, the proportion of dual-qualified teachers has exceeded half, central government financial investment has continued to grow, the institutional framework for the vocational education teaching workforce has been basically established, and a four-tier training system has initially taken shape. In the course of building the teaching force, we have carried forward the spirit of educators, established standards for dual-qualified teachers, created innovative teacher teams, cultivated and set up role models, promoted two-way exchanges between schools and enterprises, implemented linked reforms with teachers as a key element, and carried out international teacher exchanges and training. Looking ahead, we will further promote the spirit of educators, integrate the spirit of craftsmanship with the spirit of educators, continuously update teachers’ professional competencies, upgrade the training system, enhance teachers’ digital literacy, and build a contingent of dual-qualified teachers with an international vision and world-class standards.