Key details

Please note that the participation fee does not include international or domestic travel, accommodation, subsistence or freight, except where stated.

Background
Under China's 11th five year plan, the government aims to establish a learning society with further education and adult education of various forms witnessing more development. In order to meet the urgent demand for qualified labours and skilful workers required by the growing economy, employment and service oriented models of vocational education are being established.

The government sets out to increase enrolment rate into vocational education and training higher institutions to be more than 50 per cent of enrolment at higher education which currently stands at around four million new students annually.

In addition, the government aims to build over 1,000 vocational education centres, 1,000 exemplary secondary vocational schools, as well as 100 exemplary senior vocational schools, to further expand the scale of vocation education and training. CNR 10 billion has been put in place to support the constructions of vocational training bases, teaching facilities and also to the provision of student aid in vocational education and training.

The vocational education and training innovation project put forward by China's Ministry of Education aims to:

• develop vocational education and skills training of high quality;
• cultivate highly skilled personnel to meet with industry demands.

In order to achieve the above, it is vital for Chinese vocational institutions to strengthen cooperation with industries as well as to explore flexible, practical and industry related curriculum.

The United Kingdom's well-developed system of academic and career enhancing courses offered by Further Education institutions is highly regarded and valued internationally. British Council China has identified within the above, opportunities to further enhance Sino-UK partnerships in vocational-technical education and hence is proposing a Sino-UK FE Forum and Mission as part of the annual China International Education Forum.

Proposal
We are proposing a one day forum on Sino-UK Vocational Education and Training in Shenzhen followed by a one week mission across three cities in mainland China.

The forum and mission aims to bring together:

• representatives from FE sector in the UK;
• representatives from Vocational institutions in China;
• government and administrative departments involved in vocational education in China;
• Industry representatives both from the UK and China.

The objectives of the forum and mission are to:

• understand China's current situation: non-capacity within the Vocational Education and Training sector;
• explore ways of resolving issues and capacity building through Sino-UK partnerships;
• showcase UK vocational education and training – both in curriculum development and industry cooperation;
• look at models of best practise between current Sino-UK cooperation in Vocational Education and Training and develop new opportunities for Sino UK institutions;
• explore models of cooperation between institutions and industries.

Format
This project aims to focus on four areas within Vocational Education and Training that have been identified by the Chinese government as priority areas:

1. Digital Control
2. Automobile
3. Business (Retailing)
4. Travel and Tourism

The project will include:

• Forum (South China – Shenzhen, 28 October 2006), including:
• opening plenary
• break-out (four sessions)
• closing plenary
• Mission (three cities: South West China – Chongqing, 30 October 2006; East China – Nanjing, 1 November 2006; North China – Shenyang, 3 November 2006), including:
• briefing by local authorities on vocational education and training
• visit to local institutionss
• institutions meetings

The Chinese Partner for this project is China Education Association of International Exchange.

Justification
This project will lead to a better and in-depth understanding on the current situation and perspectives of the Chinese in relation to vocational education and training (both institutions and industries). Gaps can be identified and opportunities will emerge to allow UK institutions to form partnerships and alliances amongst UK institutions as well as Sino-UK institutions in curriculum development, staff exchanges, articulation arrangements as well as industry links for internships in China, etc.

This project specifically targets the FE / VET sector and aims to diversify business opportunities for the sector in China. Direct student recruitment for this sector is increasingly competitive, as China develops local capacity and foreign programmes are set up in China. In addition, unless China develops understanding and change in perceived value of vocational qualifications, many parents and students will still be inclined to invest in academic / degree programmes when pursuing studies overseas.

As the Chinese government prioritises vocational education and training, it is important for UK institutions to be engaged locally and influence the policy, curriculum development and to bring in the UK perspectives. The UK FE / VET sector participation in the development of China's VET sector has long term implications to changing and improving perceptions for the UK and securing UK's position as a leader in the training of skilled workers for the global community.

As a follow up, the Education UK China Partnership will be able to offer on-the-ground support, intelligence and consultancy to individual UK institutions or consortiums to follow up and take forward initiatives and opportunities that will arise from the project.

Market information

• China market background
• Partnership members can access more detailed education market intelligence, including international student data and country profiles
• China Partnership members can access education market intelligence on the China Partnership website

Forum programme
Please note that this forum runs in conjunction with the Autumn UK Pavilion Exhibition in Shenzhen.

	Date Time Activity Participants Thursday 26 October 2006 Arrive in Shenzhen all Friday 27 October 2006 am Registration all pm Visit to Shenzhen Polytechnic optional evening Welcome dinner all Saturday 28 October 2006 0830-0840 Opening ceremony Chinese and UK organisers 0840-0910 Plenary session: Current status and issues of Vocational Education and Training in China Plenary: Successes and challenges China speaker 0910-0940 Plenary session: Current status and issues of Vocational Education and Training in China Plenary: Successes and challenges UK speaker 0940-1000 Plenary session: Q&A Head chairperson to lead 1000-1025 Coffee break 1030-1115 Break out session: Computer Numerical Control (CNC): Curriculum of CNC in the UK What is required to teach CNC What are forms of evaluation Forms of cooperation between Education & Training Institutes and the Industry Case study of CNC in the UK 2 UK speakers Break out session: Retail Business (RB): Curriculum of RB in the UK What is required to teach RB What are forms of evaluation Forms of cooperation between Education & Training Institutes and the Industry Case study of RB in the UK 2 UK speakers 1115-1145 Break out session: Computer Numerical Control (CNC): Current issues on CNC courses in China The building of training bases Case study of CNC in China China speaker(s) Break out session: Retail Business (RB): Current issues on RM courses in China Forms of cooperation between Chinese Education & Training Institutes and the RB industry Case study of RM case in China China speaker(s) 1145-1210 Q&A (both break out sessions) Chairpersons to lead 1215-1400 Lunch 1400-1430 Break out session: Automobile: Current issues on Automobile courses in China Industry needs for skilled workers in Chinese  automobile industry Forms of cooperation between Chinese Education & Training Institutes and the Automobile industry China speaker(s) Break out session: TM (TM): Current issues on TM courses in China Industry needs for skilled workers in Chinese TM industry Forms of cooperation between Chinese Education & Training Institutes and the TM industry China speaker(s) 1430-1515 Break out session: Automobile: Curriculum of Automobile courses in the UK What is required to teach Automobile courses What are forms of evaluation Forms of cooperation between Education & Training Institutes and the industry Case study of Automobile courses in the UK 2 UK speakers Break out session: Tourism Management (TM): Curriculum of TM in the UK What is required to teach TM What are forms of evaluation Forms of cooperation between UK Education & Training Institutes and the industry Case study of TM in the UK 2 UK speakers 1515-1540 Q&A (both break out sessions) Chairpersons to lead 1540-1600 Coffee break 1600-1605 Plenary session: closing remarks Head chairperson 1605-1615 Plenary session: summary of the CNC session CNC chairperson 1615-1625 Plenary session: summary of the RB session RB chairperson 1625-1635 Plenary session: summary of the TM session TM chairperson 1635-1645 Plenary session: summary of the Automobile session Automobile chairperson 1645-1710 Plenary session: Q&A Head chairperson to lead 1710-1715 Summary and conclusion Head chairperson 1715 Forum ends

Accommodation
Accommodation for participants at the forum is at:

• Wuzhou Guest House
  No.6001 Shennan Rd
  Shenzhen 518034
  China
  Telephone +86 (0) 755 82938112
  Fax +86 (0) 755 83831754

Visa requirements
Visas are required for UK passport holders. Other passport holders should check with their travel agent or contact the Consulate or Embassy of the country they plan to visit.

If you have any queries about this event, please contact the Education UK Events Helpdesk