SHENZHEN has introduced measures to implement a new enterprise apprenticeship system starting Dec. 20, according to the Shenzhen Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, Nanfang Daily reported.

Under the new apprenticeship system, enterprises and technical colleges, vocational colleges and other educational and training institutions will jointly cultivate skilled talents through a work-study alternation program.

The system aims to cultivate mid-level and senior technical workers who meet the needs of enterprises, as well as technicians who meet the urgent needs of the key industries in various districts and Dapeng New Area.

The training period of mid-level and senior technical workers is one to two years, and that of technicians is one to three years.

The human resources departments of all the districts and the new area can determine and publish their own annual training plan and the number of apprentices needed. Each enterprise shall apply for no more than 50 percent of the total number of new apprentices in the district or new area each year.

According to the regulations, during the period of study and training, enterprises shall pay wages to trainees in accordance with the labor contract law. The wages shall not be lower than the minimum wage standard of the city. Meanwhile, enterprises should also provide the tutors with subsidies.

The subsidies for apprentice training are classified into three categories, namely 5,500 yuan (US$785.82), 7,000 yuan and 8,500 yuan per person per year, which are based on vocational skill level.

According to the number of apprentices passing the completion assessment and their vocational skill levels, enterprises can apply for apprentice training subsidies from the district’s human resources department.

Enterprises can apply in advance for 20 percent of the subsidies within one month of the date when the district’s human resources department approves the registration of the apprentice training.

The measures are valid for five years. (Zhang Yu)