China-led international vocational education standards set for release to promote mutual recognition

Wu Yuanzhou instructs students during a class on computer-aided designing (CAD) in Tianjin, north China, Sept. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- A framework of world vocational education standards developed to promote mutual recognition of vocational education standards and professional qualifications across countries is set to be released, the Ministry of Education said Monday.

Based on China's vocational education practices and drawing on the experience of countries around the world, the world-first "Framework of World Vocational and Technical Education Standards" covers key areas of global concern in vocational education, including values, systems, governance, support and measures, according to the ministry.

The framework, led and promoted by China in its development, will be officially released at the 2026 World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference, to be held in north China's Tianjin Municipality from Oct. 15 to 17.

Education authorities, industry departments and trade associations from more than 40 countries had been invited to participate in discussions and help refine the text during more than a year of drafting and consultations, said Peng Binbai, an official with the ministry.

So far, 46 countries have expressed recognition and support for the framework, Peng added.

China now has the world's largest vocational education system, with more than 10 million annual graduates. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), vocational education supplied more than 70 percent of the additional highly skilled workers in the country's modern industries.

China has also established 38 Luban Workshops in 32 countries, providing academic education to more than 30,000 students and non-degree training to over 160,000 participants.

Since 2022, the Ministry of Education has held two editions of the World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference.

"China's international influence in vocational education continues to grow, and the conference has become an important platform for international exchanges in the field," Liu Yong, another ministry official, said.