Chapter 349: How to Handle Vocational Education

Since so many people have gathered together, they're definitely going to eat, and the cafeteria has long been ready.

Everyone settled down, and as usual Zhang Wanhe spoke first: "Today is a day worth celebrating. Here, I raise a toast with Qingshan Factory's wine, wishing our future will be even better!"

"Come, let's wish our future will be even better!"

Countless people raised their glasses; at this moment, everyone firmly believed that through their own efforts they could surely live a better life!

"San Shui, say a few words to everyone!"

Qin Miao raised his cup, looking at Ge Lixi: "Factory Director Ge, thank you for traveling thousands of miles to the East, for contributing greatly to Eastern industrial development—our Qingshan-Benzichang Factory owes its today to your help!"

"It's only natural; seeing the Easterners' hard work reminds me of our Germany just after WWII, when our country lay in ruins, yet after decades of reconstruction we regained our former glory—we managed it, and you can too! Especially, the Eastern workers' dedication far surpasses that of Europe!"

"In Europe, work is for a better life, and outside work one still enjoys life; but here, work seems to be everything!"

"Workers are diligent and uncomplaining, they don't care about pay; when someone proposes a wage reform, many even feel embarrassed for earning more than others."

"With such a workforce, the East surely has a brighter future!"

"But..."

Ge Lixi shifted tone: "I also see shortcomings in your industrial system; although it's not my concern, I still want to bring it up."

"Factory Director Ge, please speak!"

"The East lacks a sound worker training system." Ge Lixi said: "I see that worker training here starts with apprentices, which is laborious and time‑consuming, and doesn't necessarily produce skilled workers; even becoming a veteran takes a long process."

Hearing Ge Lixi say this, Qin Miao felt somewhat… unable to rebut.

"Exactly, this is certainly a flaw, but fixing it won't be easy."

"Germany pursues craftsmanship spirit; with only eighty million people it boasts over twenty‑three hundred world‑renowned brands! This rests on craftsmanship spirit, which in turn depends on education."

"German education is cultivated from childhood."

"In Germany, primary school starts at age six and lasts four years; at three you see the big picture, at seven you see the old—having these four years of study, teachers can already spot a child's interests and then begin to advise streaming."

"Exactly, German kids begin streaming in fifth grade! They are divided into different tiers and enter different schools; those focusing on academic studies go to comprehensive secondary schools, study eight years, then take Germany's college entrance exam, earn a high‑school diploma, and proceed to university."

"Students who struggle with academics can opt for vocational secondary schools, which last six years and are set up for vocational education; graduates receive an intermediate diploma and may then attend higher vocational colleges or continue to applied‑technical universities—if they have the ability, they can still earn a doctorate."

"And what about the East? We've popularized primary and secondary education, yet parents still aren't satisfied with streaming after middle‑school exams; they want their kids to go to high school and take the college entrance exam—since everyone supposedly must attend university, the call to universalize high school has never ceased."

"Similar to Germany, streaming after fourth grade of primary school? Qin Miao dares not suggest it—he'd be drowned in spit."

"Of course, since Ge Lixi is bringing it up, Qin Miao will certainly listen attentively."

"I've found that in the East, getting into university is many families' ultimate goal, but thousands cross a single‑plank bridge and few succeed; a society isn't just university graduates—it also needs workers and farmers, who spend years learning cultural knowledge only to find themselves severely mismatched when they start working…"

"The East's zeal for university entrance is natural, since a degree makes one a state employee entitled to government rations; even after state allocation ends, graduates of good schools still have promising prospects, while average wages remain far below those of the less educated."

"All pursuits are lowly except scholarship—this truth holds in any dynasty."

"Now… everyone forces a bitter smile."

"Of course, I know changing the education situation is hard, but… if possible, I suggest the East establish a dedicated vocational skills training school with a three‑year program, so graduates can go straight to work…"

"The saying 'Who's strong at excavator training? Look to Lanxiang in Shandong, East!' instantly popped into Qin Miao's mind."

"Historically, Lanxiang Technical School was founded in the mid‑1980s, training many technical talents for the state; although there are some bad rumors, overall it's still a quite good school."

"Now, with Eastern industry developing, we need professional technical talent; relying on factory apprenticeship—master‑apprentice—is simply too slow, so…"

Qin Miao looked toward Zhang Wanhe.

"Dad, this matter—only you can push it: in our Capital, set up a dedicated vocational training school; outstanding graduates can enter our Capital's factories, while unqualified ones can be sent to society to keep honing their skills…"

"The first half was serious, the second half joking; Zhang Wanhe furrowed his brows: 'Our industrial and educational systems don't fall under each other, pushing this won't be easy, unless…'"

"Unless what?"

"Under the name of your Ha Gong Da, establish a branch in our Capital." Zhang Wanhe said: "That way, from approval to enrollment to graduation, we won't have to face those sour faces of the education system."

"This ball's been kicked back to me?"

Qin Miao was somewhat speechless, but… this design actually could work.

"In later times, no one wants to attend a technical school, because they're too low‑class; kids go there just to learn bad habits, and the specific skills may not really be learned—those privately run technical schools are mainly about collecting fees, education secondary."

"If we set up a technical school under Ha Gong Da's name, its prestige would max out! We could recruit good students; after hard study they'd become blue‑collar elites, and they'd master things like CNC, mechatronics, senior electric work…"

"What we train are also cutting‑edge technologies, exactly the trades society lacks—things even veteran workers don't know; once trained, they'll surely become hot commodities on the market! Big money!"

"Fine, after returning to Ha Gong Da I'll discuss it with the school."

Ge Lixi was very pleased; here, any opinion he raises will be valued and acted upon immediately!

"Working like this will be comfortable! I too must work diligently!"

"By the way, other automobile firms in the Capital hope to come here to learn from us." Seeing the meal was ending, Zhang Wanhe spoke again.

"Great, let them see for themselves how a modern factory ought to be managed!"