FAQ on the Professional Qualification Certificate System
1. What is the Vocational Qualification Certificate System?
The vocational qualification certificate system is an important component of the labor employment system. It refers to government-recognized assessment institutions objectively, impartially, scientifically, and in a standardized manner evaluating workers' skill levels or professional qualifications in accordance with nationally formulated vocational skill standards or qualification requirements, and issuing corresponding national vocational qualification certificates to qualified individuals.
2. What is the role of the vocational qualification certificate?
The vocational qualification certificate proves that a worker possesses the knowledge and skills required for a specific occupation or combined occupation. It serves as qualification proof for job seeking, appointment, and business establishment; a primary basis for employers to recruit and hire workers; and a valid document for overseas employment and foreign labor cooperation personnel to obtain notarization of skill levels.
3. What is the legal basis for implementing the vocational qualification certificate system?
Article 69 of Chapter VIII of the Labor Law stipulates that the State shall determine occupational classifications, formulate vocational skill standards for designated occupations, implement the vocational qualification certificate system, and entrust government-approved assessment institutions with responsibility for conducting vocational skill assessments of workers. Article 8 of Chapter I of the Vocational Education Law clearly states that vocational education shall be implemented according to actual needs, conform to nationally formulated occupational classifications and occupational grade standards, and implement a system of academic diplomas, training certificates, and vocational qualification certificates. These regulations establish the legal basis for the State to promote the vocational qualification certificate system and develop vocational skill assessment.
4. What is the significance of the State promoting the vocational qualification certificate system?
Conducting vocational skill assessment and promoting the vocational qualification certificate system are important measures for implementing the Rejuvenating the Country through Science and Education strategy proposed by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and are also strategic measures for China's human resources development. These efforts are of great significance for comprehensively improving workers' competence, cultivating and developing the labor market, integrating training with employment, promoting the modern enterprise system, deepening reform of state-owned enterprises, and advancing economic development.
5. What is employment access?
Employment access means that, in accordance with relevant provisions of the Labor Law and the Vocational Education Law, workers engaged in occupations or job categories that are technically complex, widely applicable, and involve state property, public safety, and consumer interests must receive training and obtain a vocational qualification certificate before taking up employment. The scope of occupations subject to employment access shall be determined and published to the public by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.
6. What specific requirements does the State have for implementing employment access?
Employment agencies shall announce the scope of occupations subject to employment access in prominent locations; job registration forms printed by localities shall include fields for recording vocational qualification certificates; and employer recruitment advertisements shall specify corresponding qualification requirements. Staff of employment agencies shall, in the course of work, require job seekers to present vocational qualification certificates for occupations subject to employment access as prescribed by the State, verify the certificates, and recommend employment based on them. Employers shall recruit workers based on such certificates.
New entrants to occupations subject to employment access must complete one to three years of vocational training and obtain a training qualification certificate before employment. For employers that hire persons without corresponding vocational qualification certificates, labor inspection authorities shall investigate and handle the matter in accordance with law and order rectification. Individuals engaged in individual industrial and commercial operations shall obtain a vocational qualification certificate before industrial and commercial authorities process their business establishment procedures.
7. How many levels are there in vocational qualification certificates?
National vocational qualification certificates are divided into five levels: Junior (National Vocational Qualification Level 5), Intermediate (National Vocational Qualification Level 4), Senior (National Vocational Qualification Level 3), Technician (National Vocational Qualification Level 2), and Senior Technician (National Vocational Qualification Level 1). The certificates are uniformly printed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, and are processed and issued by labor security departments or relevant departments under the State Council in accordance with regulations.
8. How are the levels of old and new technical grade certificates mapped?
Technical grades shall follow the national new standard of five levels: Junior, Intermediate, Senior, Technician, and Senior Technician. Correspondence between old and new standards: under the eight-grade system, Grades 1-3 correspond to Junior, Grades 4-6 to Intermediate, and Grades 7-8 to Senior; for commercial salespersons under the Grade 5-to-Grade 1 system, Grade 5 corresponds to Junior, Grades 4 and 3 to Intermediate, and Grades 2 and 1 to Senior; for cooking, hotel service, hairdressers, and beauticians, Grades 5 and 4 correspond to Junior, Grades 3, 2, and 1 to Intermediate, and Special Grade 2 and Grade 1 to Senior.
9. How are industry-issued certificates recognized?
Industry technical certificates issued before 1993 upon approval by competent authorities after training and assessment under industry standards shall be recognized through operational skills assessment only at the corresponding technical grade.
10. What are the requirements for applicants seeking employment domestically or overseas?
Applicants for overseas employment, personnel engaged in overseas labor cooperation, and overseas persons seeking employment with employers in this municipality shall obtain corresponding vocational qualifications in accordance with regulations and pursue orderly development.
11. What are the requirements for unemployed persons and persons changing posts or occupations seeking reemployment?
When unemployed persons or persons changing posts or occupations seek reemployment in occupations subject to national entry controls and do not hold corresponding vocational qualification certificates, they shall participate in corresponding vocational skills training and may be employed or take up posts only after passing skills assessment and obtaining corresponding vocational qualification certificates.
12. What is vocational skills assessment?
Vocational skills assessment is an assessment activity based on vocational skill levels and is a criterion-referenced examination. Assessment institutions objectively measure and evaluate the technical theoretical knowledge and practical operational abilities required for workers in a given occupation. Vocational skills assessment is an important component of the national vocational qualification certificate system.
13. How is vocational skills assessment organized and implemented?
China implements a socialized management system for vocational skills assessment under government guidance. The socialized management system refers to a working mechanism that, in accordance with national laws and policies, is organized and implemented by vocational skills assessment centers under the leadership of government labor and social security administrative departments, relying on vocational skills assessment stations to evaluate and certify workers' skill levels. It comprises four subsystems: policies and regulations, organization and implementation, quality assurance, and supervision and inspection.
14. What are the requirements for applying for vocational skills assessment?
Applicants for assessments at different levels are subject to different eligibility conditions. Candidates shall determine the level to apply for in accordance with the assessment announcement. Generally, the eligibility conditions for different levels are:
Applicants for Junior vocational skills assessment must be in-service employees who have completed apprenticeship, graduates of vocational schools, or new entrants to the labor force trained by social training institutions;
Applicants for Intermediate vocational skills assessment must have obtained a Junior skills certificate and worked continuously for at least 5 years, or be graduates of technical schools and other vocational schools approved by labor and social security administrative departments with Intermediate skills as the training objective;
Applicants for Senior vocational skills assessment must have held an Intermediate vocational qualification certificate for at least 5 years and engaged continuously in production operations in the relevant occupation (trade) for no less than 10 years, or completed formal Senior Worker training and obtained a completion certificate.
Applicants for Technician assessment must hold a Senior vocational qualification certificate, have rich production practice experience and outstanding operational skills, be able to solve key operational technology and production process problems in the relevant trade, and possess the ability to impart skills and train Intermediate-skilled personnel;
Applicants for Senior Technician assessment must have served as a Technician for at least 3 years, possess outstanding craftsmanship and comprehensive operational skills, be able to solve highly difficult production process problems in the relevant trade, achieve notable results in technological transformation, innovation, and elimination of accident hazards, and have the ability to train Senior Workers and organize and lead Technicians in technological innovation and tackling key technical problems.
15. How do applicants register for vocational skills assessment?
Applicants for vocational skill assessment may apply to the Anqiu City Vocational Skill Assessment Station and complete the Vocational Skill Assessment Application Form. When registering, applicants shall present their identity card, training completion certificate, Technical Grade Certificate, or proof of years of service issued by the labor and wage department of their employer.
Applicants for technician or senior technician qualifications shall also submit proof of technical achievements and work performance, together with their technical summaries and relevant papers.
16. What are the main contents of vocational skill assessment?
The main contents of national vocational skill assessment include occupational knowledge, operational skills, and professional ethics. These contents are determined based on national vocational skill standards, vocational skill assessment specifications (exam syllabus), and corresponding textbooks, and are assessed through written tests.
17. What is the method of vocational skill assessment?
Vocational skill assessment consists of theoretical knowledge tests and practical skill assessments. The theoretical knowledge test is generally a closed-book written examination. The practical skill assessment is generally conducted through on-site operation of typical workpieces, production tasks, simulated operations, among other methods. Scores are generally based on a 100-point scale. A score of 60 or above in both parts is qualified, 80 or above is good, and 95 or above is excellent.
18. What is a vocational skill assessment station?
A vocational skill assessment station is an assessment venue approved and established by the labor and social security administrative department. It is a grassroots organization for vocational skill assessment and conducts skill assessment activities for occupations (job types) within its prescribed scope. Specific tasks include: (1) accepting applications for vocational skill assessment, reviewing applicant qualifications, issuing admission tickets after approval by the vocational skill assessment center; (2) organizing applicants to take examinations or assessments at the prescribed time, place, and manner; (3) coordinating relevant affairs during the assessment process; (4) compiling assessment results and submitting them to the vocational skill assessment center; (5) providing assessment reports to the vocational skill assessment center and offering evaluation comments on the work of assessment panels; (6) assisting the vocational skill assessment center in certificate procedures and issuing vocational qualification certificates to qualified candidates; (7) providing assessment consultation services and information statistics.
19. What are the implementation steps for vocational skill assessment?
The implementation of vocational skill assessment includes four steps: organizational preparation before assessment, technical preparation before assessment, actual assessment, and post-assessment result processing.
20. What matters should be noted when applying for vocational skill assessment?
When applying for vocational skill assessment, applicants shall first determine the assessment level based on the qualification requirements for the occupation applied for. If training is required, applicants shall attend a training institution approved by the labor and social security administrative department. Applicants shall prepare photographs, identity cards, and materials proving their qualifications. Those who have completed formal training shall provide proof issued by the training institution, and years of service shall be certified by the employer. After review by the assessment agency, if requirements are met, the assessment station shall issue an admission ticket. Applicants must bring the admission ticket to the examination; otherwise, they may not take the examination.
21. How are vocational qualification certificates issued?
In accordance with relevant national regulations, vocational qualification certificates are issued through the following procedure: the vocational skill assessment station submits the list of qualified candidates to the local vocational skill assessment center for review, then to the labor and social security administrative department at the same level for approval. The vocational skill assessment center issues certificates in accordance with nationally prescribed certificate formats, affixes the special seal of the vocational skill assessment institution, obtains verification stamps from the labor and social security administrative department at the same level, and then delivers the certificates to individuals through the vocational skill assessment station.
22. What should be done if disciplinary violations are discovered during vocational skill assessment work?
Vocational skill assessment is a public-interest service for workers and employers. To ensure assessment quality and uphold the authority of vocational qualification certificates, vocational skill assessment authorities at all levels have established a complaint mechanism and set up supervision hotlines to encourage all sectors of society to report irregularities such as unauthorized training, improper examinations, improper issuance of certificates, and violations of examination discipline. Workers may lodge complaints directly with the local labor security administrative department or the vocational skill assessment center upon discovering any irregularities in vocational skill assessment work, and the labor security administrative department shall handle them in accordance with relevant regulations.