Vcom: training global talent through innovation and WorldSkills Occupational Standards

Sharing expertise, resources, and cutting-edge technology, our Global Partners are vital to ensure WorldSkills Competitions reflect real-world requirements and industry demands.

Their involvement goes beyond financial contributions, encompassing collaboration in skills development, innovation, and fostering international cooperation. Industry partners also play an important role in shaping and updating the WorldSkills Occupational Standards, which are not only used to assess Competitors but as a benchmarking tool for Members to evaluate and improve their Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems.

Since it became the first Chinese company to join WorldSkills as a Global Partner in 2018, Vcom has harnessed WorldSkills Occupational Standards and embedded them into its activities, contributing to the training of global talent in several sectors.

As a high-tech educational enterprise for communications and optoelectronic technology, Vcom not only provides facilities and technical support for the skill competitions of Information Network Cabling, Electronics, Health and Social Care, and Optoelectronics Technology but also contributes to the global growth of these skill areas.

In 2024, the company organized and facilitated a series of training sessions and seminars that brought together Competitors, trainers, and Experts from various countries and regions, providing invaluable platforms for skill enhancement and knowledge exchange.

A delegation from the TVET Council Barbados visited Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Foshan in June for a week-long exchange, which resulted in the signing of a strategic partnership agreement and several MOUs between Barbadian institutions and leading Chinese vocational colleges. The collaboration laid the groundwork for future initiatives, including a training programme for 100 Barbadian teachers and the establishment of a training centre in Barbados that will serve the Caribbean region.

Vcom further expanded its global reach by inaugurating a local training centre in Laos for Information Network Cabling in October.

Besides Barbados and Laos, the company has engaged with other Members including Kenya, Romania, Chile, New Zealand, and India to increase participation in Optoelectronic Technology and join the skill competition.

“To support these countries, we plan to focus on providing training sessions to raise awareness about WorldSkills Competitions while introducing job-specific skill training to meet industry demands. By using the Competition as an entry point, we aim to build foundational knowledge of the skill while creating pathways for industry-ready professionals,” explained Jennifer Huang, CEO Assistant and Director of Global Partnership at Vcom. “In addition to continuing the projects established in 2024 – strengthening existing collaborations, introducing more countries to key skills like Optoelectronics Technology, supporting regional WorldSkills Competitions, and expanding training programmes and facilities to empower learners and educators worldwide.

Vcom’s support in referencing the WorldSkills Occupational Standards in teaching standards, is helping to enhance instructor capabilities and support the development of professional programmes.

Another of the company’s milestones was the establishment of the Optoelectronics Industry College in Jiangxi, China in March 2024. This pioneering institution bridges the gap between education and industry by integrating academic training with real-world applications.

The college offers state-of-the-art facilities where industry engineers collaborate with the faculty to deliver a curriculum tailored to current market demands. Students benefit from hands-on learning through real-world cases and projects, guaranteeing their employability.

As Vcom looks to 2025, the organization remains committed to strengthening existing collaborations, introducing more countries to key skills like Optoelectronics Technology, supporting regional WorldSkills events, and expanding training programmes and facilities to empower learners and educators worldwide.

“Through these initiatives, Vcom has consistently worked to support WorldSkills mission of promoting excellence and innovation in skills training,” said Mrs Huang. “The end goal is to facilitate the integration of WorldSkills Occupational Standards into more educational institutions, strengthening the link between vocational education and industry demands.”

With its continued dedication to skill development, international collaboration, and innovation, Vcom is set to achieve even greater milestones on the global stage for skills.