Core Points - The article highlights the achievements of Lu Jingyi, a champion from Henan Chemical Technician College, who has been appointed as one of the "Global Skills Dream Ambassadors" for the 2025 World Skills Organization [1][10] - The World Skills Competition, known as the "Skills Olympics," is the largest and most prestigious vocational skills competition globally, with the 48th edition scheduled to take place in Shanghai in 2026 [1][10] Group 1: Achievements and Recognition - Lu Jingyi won the gold medal in the chemical laboratory technology project at the 47th World Skills Competition held in Lyon, France, in September 2024, marking a consecutive victory for China in this category [1][8] - She was selected from 157 applicants to represent the Asia region in the World Skills Organization's Champion Liaison Group for 2025-2026 [8][10] - Lu Jingyi's new role as a Global Skills Dream Ambassador involves inspiring and encouraging young people to pursue vocational skills and education [8][10] Group 2: Personal Journey and Development - Lu Jingyi faced initial challenges and doubts about her future after failing her high school entrance exam, leading her to enroll in a vocational school [3][4] - Through hard work and mentorship, she regained confidence and excelled in her studies, eventually participating in the World Skills Competition [3][5] - Her journey reflects a transformation from a student with limited exposure to a skilled competitor, emphasizing the importance of vocational education in changing lives [3][8] Group 3: Future Aspirations - The upcoming 48th World Skills Competition in Shanghai will feature 64 competition categories, providing a platform for showcasing skills [10][12] - Lu Jingyi aims to leverage her new ambassador role to promote the value of skills and encourage others to pursue their dreams through vocational training [10][12]

Core Points - The third National Skills Competition concluded successfully in Zhengzhou, showcasing the skills and talents of over 3,400 participants from 35 delegations across the country [2][3] - The event emphasized the importance of skill development in line with President Xi Jinping's directives, aiming to enhance vocational education and training levels [3] - The closing ceremony featured performances and awards for 106 winning projects, highlighting the achievements of participants and promoting a culture of craftsmanship and labor [3][4] Group 1 - The event was attended by approximately 8,000 participants, including government officials, industry representatives, and media [4] - The next National Skills Competition will be hosted in Zhejiang Province, with expectations for an exciting event [3] Group 2 - The competition served as a platform for sharing advanced experiences in skill development, contributing to high-quality economic growth [3] - The event celebrated the spirit of labor and craftsmanship, aiming to inspire more skilled talents to contribute to innovation and entrepreneurship [3]

Core Points - The article highlights the participation of students from Kazakhstan in the automotive manufacturing and repair competition as part of the 2025 World Skills Competition, showcasing their skills and training received at the Luban Workshop [2][3]. Group 1: Event Overview - The competition took place on September 5 in Öskemen, Kazakhstan, as part of the Central Asia regional selection for the World Skills Competition [3]. - The "Dragon Team" from East Kazakhstan Technical University won the championship, earning the opportunity to participate in the ranking competition in Tianjin, China [3]. Group 2: Luban Workshop - The Luban Workshop, established through collaboration between East Kazakhstan Technical University and Tianjin Vocational University, focuses on training in automotive maintenance and repair, reflecting the growing demand for skilled professionals in Kazakhstan's automotive sector [6][9]. - The workshop has been operational since December 2023 and aims to bridge the gap in technical education between China and Kazakhstan [6][9]. Group 3: Student Experience - Students expressed their enthusiasm and commitment, having trained intensively for one and a half months prior to the competition, applying the skills learned at the Luban Workshop [6]. - The workshop's advanced facilities and training methods have significantly impacted students' passion for automotive repair and maintenance [6][9]. Group 4: Future Prospects - The Luban Workshop is seen as a dynamic project fostering Sino-Kazakh friendship and is expected to expand its offerings, including a professional qualification certification center [9]. - Currently, around 460 students from eight countries are enrolled in the workshop, indicating its growing influence and importance in the region [9].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q3 2025 increased 15% year over year to $204.3 million [11][23] - Net income rose approximately 114% year over year to $10.7 million, with diluted earnings per share of $0.19 [11][23] - Adjusted EBITDA grew over 37% year over year to $25.3 million [11][23] - Average full-time active students increased nearly 13% year over year to 23,757 students [11][21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Concord Career Colleges division saw an 18.8% increase in average full-time active students compared to Q3 2024, with new student starts growing 9.1% year over year [21] - UTI division experienced an 8.9% year over year increase in average full-time active students, but new student starts declined slightly by 3% year over year [21][22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The demand for skilled trades education continues to grow, with significant media coverage highlighting the value of skilled trades over traditional college degrees [12][10] - The regulatory environment is increasingly supportive of skilled trades, with new legislation potentially making short course programs Pell eligible [9][28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on scaling new programs, optimizing student outcomes, and investing in long-term growth strategies [10][19] - Plans to expand campus footprints and add new in-demand offerings are underway, with a particular emphasis on the Concord division's growth following the lifting of growth restrictions [28][27] - The North Star strategy aims for over $1 billion in yearly revenue and approaching $200 million in adjusted EBITDA by fiscal 2029 [29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the favorable operating environment and the company's ability to meet or exceed expectations in the coming quarters [10][19] - The company anticipates a strong fourth quarter, with new student starts expected to increase significantly [47][48] Other Important Information - The company is raising the low end of its fiscal 2025 guidance for both revenue and new student starts, now expecting consolidated revenue between $830 million and $835 million [20][25] - Total available liquidity at the end of Q3 was $236.9 million, including $47.2 million of short-term investments [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: What could Concord look like in three to five years? - Management indicated that the lifting of growth restrictions allows for accelerated program launches and potentially more campuses, with guidance updates expected in November [35][37] Question: How will EBITDA margins be affected in 2026 and 2027? - Management noted that while EBITDA margin expansion may be muted due to investments, gross dollars should not decline [38][39] Question: What is the readiness around faculty hiring for Concord? - The company has been proactive in site selection and program portfolio development, ensuring readiness for rapid expansion [45] Question: How is student interest in the fourth quarter? - Management confirmed that a significant portion of new starts comes from high school students, primarily in auto diesel, with expectations for strong performance in Q4 [53][54] Question: What is the exposure to short-term training programs benefiting from Pell changes? - Currently, the exposure is very small, but the new Pell eligibility opens opportunities for shorter, bespoke programs [56][58] Question: What is the capacity situation at Concord? - Management stated that they are approaching capacity limits in several programs and are working to lift these caps for future growth [59][60]