China: Xinjiang Province: workforce development

This report presents the findings of the assessment of the workforce development (WfD) system of Xinjiang Province, China, conducted based on the World Bank's Systems Approach for Better Education Results (SABER) WfD analytical framework tool. The focus is on policies, institutions, and practices in three important functional dimensions of policymaking and implementation - strategic framework, system oversight and service delivery. The findings indicate that Xinjiang has a WfD system that facilitates lifelong learning and recognizes prior learning. However, students completing initial [technical and vocational education and training] TVET have to navigate a relatively rigid system that creates educational 'deadends' due to a lack of procedures for transfer across TVET and general education, and to a lesser degree, for progression to more advanced levels of instruction. Nonetheless, the system is strong with respect to quality assurance: all vocational schools are accredited according to regularly updated standards and subject to periodic accreditation and renewal, while the occupational coverage of skills testing is extensive and the certifications issued are respected and valued by employers.

The SABER-WfD assessment indicates that, in many respects, Xinjiang has an established system for workforce development. However, it also reveals uneveness in system development and identifies several institutional weaknesses that impede system performance. Addressing these challenges would tighten the system's alignment with Xinjiang's current 12th Five Year Plan as well as its Medium- to Long-term Educational Talent Development Plans.

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