"Competition in the world economy relies on good human resources instead of abundant natural resources, making human capacity building a very important issue from now on,'' said Chen Yu, deputy director-general of the Occupational Skill Testing Authority under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

But he claimed the old system set up at the time of a planned economy lacks effective standards and training that the current situation demands, especially as new occupations emerge fast.

Vocations like nurses for the elderly, club waiters and advertisement designers have only arisen in the past decade and are not covered by the system.

A four-year cooperation program -- sponsored by the ministry and Germany since 1999 -- focuses on seven such new vocations.

Stressing the country's reality, the program targets establishing a streamlined vocational training process -- including drawing up standards, teaching plans, study methods and textbooks, carrying out training, testing and issuing certificates.

"Our vocational training system will gradually adopt this form to catch up with advanced countries,'' said Chen, who is in charge of the programme.

China also cooperates with countries such as the Republic of Korea, Great Britain and the United States, introducing their occupational standards and certificates.

Li Huaikang, an official with the Occupational Skill Testing Authority, said two British certificates have been recognized by the ministry so far, which are regarded as the same as those certificates issued by the government.

"Not all foreign occupational certificates can be effective," said Li.

They should first report to the ministry and wait for approval. They also must have Chinese partners involved in issuing certificates.

Such rules are made lest too many foreign certificates flood the market and confuse enterprises and employers, Li explained.

(People's Daily November 24,2001)