New Southbound Policy Portal

President Lai Ching-te (center), joined by Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (second right), receives members of the 47th Worldskills Competition team Sept. 30 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of Presidential Office)
 

President Lai Ching-te is committed to continued investment in vocational education to cultivate capable personnel, the Presidential Office said.

During a reception for the 47th Worldskills Competition team Sept. 30 in Taipei City, Lai expressed gratitude to the competitors, as well as to the judges from Taiwan who assisted in the WorldSkills Lyon 2024 Sept. 10-15. In results, Taiwan ranked fourth among the over 60 nations that took part in the contest.

This was the first time that medical personnel and mental health counselors accompanied contestants to such a competition. Additionally, administrators, advisors, consultants and interpreters also joined the group, Lai noted.

Skills are the foundation for national competitiveness, the president said, adding that people from all walks of life created Taiwan’s economic miracle. The president also took the opportunity to announce that starting from 2025 to 2028, the government would allocate NT$3.2 billion (US$99 million) in subsidies to upgrade vocational schools’ teaching facilities and introduce more guest lecturers. Artificial intelligence and information and communications-related courses would also be incorporated into the curriculum in vocational schools.

The government, academic institutions and industry should collaborate to cultivate students’ interdisciplinary expertise, Lai emphasized, adding that a substantial new project would also offer overseas training courses for students from Taiwan. Students will have more opportunity to receive training and exchange in other countries, which will stimulate innovation and growth for domestic industry, Lai concluded. (POC-E)