Three in Chongqing win chief technician titles

Fifty-two-year-old laborer Huang Yong in Southwest China's Chongqing was overjoyed recently to be designated as a chief technician, the highest certified skilled worker in the country.

Chief technicians refer to workers who have a high skill level, good professional ethics and a lot of practical experience. They have abundant technical knowledge in their field, have made outstanding contributions in their field, possess great leadership qualities and are highly regarded in their industries.

Thanks to the new occupation rating system for skilled talent, Huang and two other workers became the first to receive the certification in Chongqing.

"I feel so proud because the new title has not only given me more recognition and respect, but also a brighter career," Huang said. "Many of my younger colleagues are paying attention to my promotion, which may inspire them to make more progress."

As China is striving to become a world manufacturing power, it needs a large number of skilled laborers. But the country is still grappling with a huge shortage.

There was a talent gap of over 19 million in China's top 10 key manufacturing sectors in 2020. That figure is expected to grow to 30 million by 2025, according to the Guidelines for the Development of Manufacturing Talent, a report jointly released by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

To encourage more young people to work in factories, the government has reformed the vocational skill level rating system to provide a more promising career path for skilled laborers.

In January 2022, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security started exploring the establishment of a new eight-level vocational skill grading system for skilled talent: apprentice, junior worker, intermediate worker, senior worker, technician, senior technician, special technician and chief technician.

Working in the polyvinyl alcohol production field at Sinopec Chongqing SVW Chemical Co for 35 years, Huang grew from an operator to a high-skilled technician.

Now as a chief technician, his salary package is equal to those in senior management positions at the company. "A front-line worker can make the same contribution as a scientist as long as one believes in perseverance and craftsmanship and keeps learning," he said.

Another chief technician, 52-year-old Liao Ming, an operation and adjustment worker at Chongqing Tiema Industries Group Co, said that the new title means that the country is paying more attention to skilled talent.

According to Xu Chi, director of the human resources department at Tiema, the company will adopt an annual payment package for workers who have obtained a chief technician title. Moreover, bonuses based on one's achievements in terms of cost savings, value creation, talent training and other creative work will be offered.

"Through the reforms, Chongqing will create an environment that appreciates and encourages skilled industrial workers and build a better career ladder for them," said Su Jing, deputy director of Chongqing Human Resources and Social Security Bureau.