Group 1 - The current number of long-term care practitioners in China is over 300,000, and the demand for caregivers is expected to reach millions after the comprehensive rollout of long-term care insurance (LTCI) [1][10] - The first national examination for long-term care practitioners saw an unexpected registration of 909 candidates, significantly exceeding the initial expectation of 100 participants [1][4] - The LTCI has been included in government work reports for five consecutive years, with a renewed emphasis on accelerating its establishment in the latest report [3][10] Group 2 - The establishment of the long-term care practitioner certification is seen as a crucial step in addressing the shortage of qualified caregivers and enhancing the professionalization of the industry [7][11] - The long-term care practitioner certification is expected to improve service quality and attract more individuals to the profession, creating a complete career development ladder from junior to senior levels [8][11] - The industry is facing challenges in recruiting younger workers, and the introduction of the long-term care practitioner certification is anticipated to enhance the attractiveness of the profession [10][11] Group 3 - The first batch of long-term care practitioners received their certificates, with 81 candidates passing the examination, marking a significant milestone in the professionalization of the sector [1][4] - The long-term care insurance system is projected to create nearly 10 million jobs, highlighting the urgent need for skilled caregivers as the aging population increases [10][12] - The Jiangsu Provincial Medical Insurance Bureau is implementing policies to incentivize the hiring of certified long-term care practitioners, including salary adjustments and training subsidies [11][12]

Group 1 - The central economic work conference emphasizes the importance of boosting consumption and investment efficiency, with a focus on developing the silver economy as a key initiative [1][2] - The silver economy is a comprehensive economic system that combines elderly and pre-elderly services, covering various age groups and industries, thus having a broad impact on national economic and social development [2][3] - The potential for the silver economy in China is significant, with projections indicating that by the end of 2024, 22.0% of the population will be aged 60 and above, leading to rapid growth in demand for elderly care services [3][4] Group 2 - The development of the silver economy must focus on the changing needs of the elderly, fostering related industries such as health management, medical care, and cultural activities, which will create opportunities for sectors like tourism and financial services [4][5] - Challenges exist on both the demand and supply sides, including an inadequate income security system for the elderly and a lack of innovative products and services tailored to their needs [5][6] - To unlock the potential of the silver economy, it is essential to enhance the income security system for the elderly and improve the supply of services, particularly in community and rural areas [6][7]

Group 1 - The first batch of long-term care worker vocational skill level certificates was issued in Nantong, marking a significant step towards the professionalization of care for disabled individuals in Jiangsu province [1] - Approximately 300,000 people are currently engaged in long-term care services for disabled groups nationwide, but there are issues such as mismatched skills and unstandardized service [1] - The new profession of long-term care worker was established to better meet the care needs of disabled individuals, following the release of national occupational standards by the National Healthcare Security Administration and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security [1] Group 2 - The first qualification exam for long-term care workers saw 900 applicants in Jiangsu, exceeding expectations, indicating strong interest in this new profession [2] - Jiangsu aims to expand the coverage of long-term care insurance and connect it with subsidies for economically disadvantaged elderly and severely disabled individuals, enhancing the quality of life for more disabled persons [2] - There are currently 2,610 designated long-term care service institutions in Jiangsu, with over 94,000 nursing beds and nearly 70,000 care workers, providing services to over 600,000 disabled individuals [2]

Core Viewpoint - The establishment of the Long-term Care Worker profession aims to address the growing demand for specialized care services for the elderly, particularly those with disabilities, in response to the aging population in China [1][2][6]. Group 1: Long-term Care Worker Certification - The first national certification for Long-term Care Workers was awarded to 81 practitioners in Nantong, Jiangsu, marking a significant step towards professionalization in the industry [1][2]. - The Long-term Care Worker profession was officially recognized in 2022, with national standards set to be implemented in February 2024 [1][2]. - The first examination for Long-term Care Workers saw a participation of 100 candidates, with an 81% pass rate, indicating a strong interest in the profession [4][5]. Group 2: Industry Demand and Employment Opportunities - There is a significant and rigid demand for professional long-term care services due to the aging population, with approximately 40 million elderly individuals requiring care [2][6]. - The Long-term Care Worker certification is seen as a "green pass" for employment, providing job opportunities for a wide demographic, including those aged 16 and above [5]. - The long-term care insurance system has created around 300,000 job opportunities and has attracted approximately 60 billion yuan in social capital investment [6]. Group 3: Challenges and Future Directions - Despite the growth in the workforce, there are still challenges such as mismatched skills among caregivers and inconsistent service standards [1][5]. - The National Healthcare Security Administration plans to enhance training and certification processes to improve the quality of long-term care services [5].