Core Points - The Guangdong Province has issued the first batch of Long-term Care Worker vocational skill level certification, with 101 practitioners passing the exam [1] - The initiative aims to enhance the talent pool for long-term care services and promote the professional development of the long-term care sector [1] - The certification process involved collaboration among various departments, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation and certification system for long-term care professionals [1] Industry Development - The newly established Long-term Care Worker profession is part of a national effort to strengthen the workforce in long-term care services [1] - The Guangdong Provincial Human Resources and Social Security Department, along with the Medical Security Bureau, is implementing a large-scale vocational skills training action plan from 2025 to 2027 [1] - This plan focuses on identifying training needs, developing training standards, and facilitating employment opportunities for skilled workers in the industry [1] Workforce Characteristics - The certified individuals primarily come from elder care service institutions, with ages ranging from 23 to 49 years, and a high proportion holding college degrees [2] - Certified workers can enhance service quality in existing elder care facilities and provide personalized home care services in line with the trend towards home-based elderly care [2] - As the industry evolves, these professionals may also contribute to the development of industry standards and training programs, expanding their professional impact [2]

Core Points - The first batch of long-term care worker vocational skill level certificates was awarded in Guangdong, promoting the standardization and professional development of the long-term care industry [1] - The long-term care worker profession emerged from the long-term care insurance system, with Guangzhou being a pilot city since 2017 [2] - A total of 101 long-term care workers received certificates, with an average age of 35, and most holding at least a college diploma [2] Group 1 - The long-term care worker profession focuses on providing care for individuals with long-term disabilities, primarily the elderly, requiring specific knowledge and skills [2] - The new national occupational standards classify long-term care workers into three levels: junior (level 5), intermediate (level 4), and senior (level 3), with increasing skill and knowledge requirements [3] - Guangdong plans to explore a payment mechanism linked to the skill level of long-term care workers, which will lead to different payment standards based on certification levels [3] Group 2 - The province aims to incorporate the certification rate of care workers into the evaluation system for care service institutions, encouraging the hiring of certified personnel and offering better salary packages [3] - The recognition of certification is expected to enhance job prospects and increase wages for long-term care workers [3] - The initiative is anticipated to motivate workers to improve their professional skills and pursue higher-level certifications [3]

Group 1 - The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security plans to add 17 new occupations and 42 new job types by 2025, reflecting industry transformation and societal needs [1] - The new occupations, such as steel structure assembler, highlight the increasing demand for specialized skills in the construction industry due to higher safety, efficiency, and environmental standards [1][2] - The steel structure assembly method improves construction efficiency and facilitates material recycling, contributing to environmental sustainability [1][2] Group 2 - The new role of long-term care worker aims to address the challenges of an aging society, particularly for the disabled population, and to alleviate family burdens [4][6] - The recognition and certification of long-term care workers enhance their sense of belonging and motivation, leading to better care services for disabled individuals [6] - The training for long-term care workers includes various tasks, from basic care to emergency response, emphasizing the need for professionalism and empathy in the role [6][4] Group 3 - The burgeoning homestay industry has led to the emergence of homestay managers, with the number of practitioners growing from zero to over a million in just a few years [7][10] - Homestay managers focus on creating personalized experiences for guests, differentiating their services from standardized hotel offerings [10] - The role of a homestay manager involves understanding guest preferences and providing tailored experiences, contributing to the emotional well-being of guests [12][10] Group 4 - The continuous emergence of new technologies, consumer demands, and market changes is creating limitless possibilities for careers, encouraging individuals to explore new professional paths [14]

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].