Reform for vocational education

The Outline also suggests enhancing China's vocational education system. Nearly nine million middle school graduates applied for secondary vocational schools last year.

This was the first time applicants to secondary vocational schools outnumbered applicants to high schools. Up to 24 million students are expected to be enrolled in vocational schools by 2020. But even such a large number of graduates will not be able to fulfill the demand for skilled workers by then.

The Outline states that further support should be given to the vocational school system in order to enhance its attractiveness to potential students.

It also points out that improvements in employment terms and benefits, including increased salaries, should be considered for skilled workers.