Shenzhen has revised the regulations on selecting and funding skilled technicians with wider policy benefits, which include providing higher quotas, extending the funding period and adjusting the funding standards, the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported.
The original regulations were implemented in 2016. Previously, 30 young highly skilled technicians were selected and organized for overseas research, training and exchange programs every year. Each individual could receive no more than 200,000 yuan (US$28,992).
“The scale of the selection has been expanded and the standards for selection have also been adjusted, providing more benefits to those who qualify,” said a staffer with the city’s human resources and social security bureau.
According to the revised regulations, 100 skilled technicians shall be selected every two years. In addition to public selection and recommendation, winners of the World Skills Competition will also be given the green light in the selection as the contest represents the highest-level skills competition in the world.
The new regulations also optimize the evaluation rules and establish a randomized review mechanism. It is stipulated that in the expert evaluation process, more than five judges be randomly selected to grade the applicant in order to ensure fairness and impartiality.
Meanwhile, it is also specified that no more than three candidates from the same enterprise or institution be selected in order to develop a diverse group of skilled technicians and avoid excessive use of public resources.
A special supervision group shall be set up to supervise the entire selection process. Moreover, the group of no less than three members must be comprised of municipal Party representatives, lawmakers and political advisers.
Additionally, the funding period has been extended from one year to two years. The human resources and social security bureau will also hire first-class experts from home and abroad to impart advanced knowledge and skills to help cultivate skilled technicians in Shenzhen.
According to the bureau, the funding for overseas studies and training programs has been raised from 1,900 yuan to 2,400 yuan per person per day, while the funding for overseas exchange and competition programs as well as domestic research and training programs remains at 1,900 yuan per person per day.
In 2017, the bureau organized three overseas research and training programs, supported 53 skilled technicians and providing funding for five technicians who applied to the programs individually.