2 1 Shi Ji Jing Ji Bao Dao·2025-12-24 01:12Core Insights - China is entering a deep aging society, with the elderly population aged 60 and above expected to reach 310 million by 2024, accounting for 22% of the total population, and the number of disabled elderly people projected to rise from 35 million to 46 million by 2035 [1] - The current workforce in the elderly care service sector is only 1.338 million, which is less than 10% of the required number based on international standards [1] - The introduction of the "Elderly Care Service Specialist" as a new profession marks a significant step towards professionalizing the elderly care industry, aiming to alleviate the talent shortage and improve service quality [1] Industry Challenges - The elderly care service industry faces a dual gap in quantity and quality, with only 597,000 staff in care institutions and 741,000 in community services, insufficient to meet the needs of 35 million disabled elderly individuals [2] - There is a low percentage of qualified professionals, with only 248,000 having obtained relevant certifications, and a lack of advanced professionals to meet complex service demands [2] - The unclear career development path for elderly care workers is a major bottleneck, as many are viewed as manual laborers without a clear advancement system [2] Social Perception and Compensation Issues - Social biases and imbalanced compensation create barriers to attracting talent, with over 80% of current workers reporting daily work hours exceeding 10 hours and nearly 70% stating their income is barely sufficient [3] - The lack of a comprehensive training system and industry standards exacerbates the talent crisis, with educational programs being limited and practical training opportunities insufficient [3] Talent Development Initiatives - Companies like Ping An are exploring solutions by establishing a comprehensive training system for elderly care specialists, integrating selection, training, and support [4] - By 2025, Ping An aims to cover 100 cities with its home care services, having served nearly 240,000 clients, with high satisfaction rates among service providers [5] - The strict selection criteria for caregivers and ongoing training programs are essential for enhancing service quality, with significant service hours logged and high customer satisfaction reported [5][6] Standardization and Quality Assurance - The establishment of a robust standard system is crucial for retaining talent, with Ping An's home care services recently receiving a five-star rating based on comprehensive evaluation criteria [6] - The development of a clear professional standard for elderly care specialists can enhance social recognition and support industry transformation [6] Collaborative Solutions for Industry Growth - The industry requires collaboration among government, enterprises, and society to address talent shortages effectively, emphasizing the need for a standardized framework covering service provision, personnel qualifications, and quality evaluation [8] - Continuous optimization of talent supply necessitates a solid training framework, with a focus on practical skills and humanistic care [8] Enhancing the Appeal of the Profession - To make elderly care specialists an attractive profession, efforts should be made to improve economic compensation and social recognition, including policy support and positive publicity [9][10] - Establishing a standardized professional system and diverse support policies will help ensure high-quality development in the home care industry, benefiting the elderly population [10]