TIANJIN, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Liu Yang is excited to join the National Vocational Students Skills Competition.
"It is my third time here," Liu said. "I came here for the first time, as a student, in 2012."
Liu, now a teacher in north China's Tianjin Municipality, is taking his students to the event to compete.
The skills competition between students from China's vocational schools is being held in Tianjin as part of the country's effort to equip itself with more skilled workers.
The competition, which started Monday, is an annual event initiated by the Ministry of Education. It is in its 11th year.
This year's event focuses on areas such as smart manufacturing, high-end equipment, information technology and new energy.
Lyu Jingquan, deputy head of the Tianjin Municipal Education Commission, said the contests were designed according to the demands of technological advancement and industrial revolution.
"The competition is expected to help vocational schools improve their curriculums and educational systems," he said.
The current competition has attracted the participation of over 15,000 students, compared to 2,000 students 11 years ago.
Pushing ahead with economic restructuring and industrial upgrading, China urgently needs more skilled workers.
Currently, about 10 million students graduate from vocational schools in China every year. During the past 10 years, the employment rate for graduates from vocational schools has remained at over 90 percent, according to the Ministry of Education.
"I hope more people can join the competition so that they can improve themselves," Liu Yang said.
