Marketplace Tech This school trains the workforce behind China's automated factories
Nov 19, 2025
Jennifer Pak, a Marketplace China correspondent, reports on a robotics upskilling school in Nanjing tackling China's workforce challenge. She highlights hands-on training where students program robotic arms, bridging the gap in automation skills. The discussion touches on the shift towards technology as young workers shy away from traditional factory jobs. Student success stories showcase impressive job placements, while the school faces hurdles like selective admissions and a low high-school completion rate in China.
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Automation Central To China's Growth Plan
- China's five-year plan prioritizes upgrading factories with automation to boost manufacturing strength.
- The ministry warns tens of millions of open jobs exist because the labor force lacks needed technical skills.
Hands-On Robot Training In Nanjing
- Zinananche training center gives hands-on experience with industrial robots, like programming arms to trace shapes.
- The school emphasizes skills for calibrating, operating, and repairing factory automation equipment.
Manufacturing Moves Toward Tech Labor
- Manufacturing is shifting from labor-intensive to technology-intensive as young people avoid basic factory jobs.
- Automation engineers now design, install, calibrate, and maintain production lines across manufacturers.