Chinese Premier Li Calls for Skills Investment, Mid-Career 'Recharge' for Workers

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called for greater investment in workforce skills training, including opportunities for workers to "recharge" their skills mid-career, according to Anadolu Agency.

The remarks came as the 48th WorldSkills Competition opened in Shanghai, an international event that brings together young skilled workers and students from around the world to compete across a wide range of trade and technical disciplines, including bricklaying, software testing and restaurant service, among many others.

WorldSkills Competitions are held biennially and are widely regarded as a benchmark event for vocational education and skills training, drawing participants and delegations from dozens of countries who compete in specific trade categories judged against international standards.

Li's call for mid-career skills investment reflects broader concerns among policymakers globally about the need to continuously retrain workers as automation, artificial intelligence and shifting economic demands reshape labor markets across many industries.

China has significantly expanded its vocational education infrastructure in recent years as part of broader efforts to build a skilled domestic workforce capable of supporting the country's manufacturing and technology sectors.

Further details on specific policy measures or funding commitments referenced in Li's remarks were not included in the available report.