Chinese University Graduates Enroll in Vocational Training Programs

Chinese university graduates facing job-market pressure are enrolling in vocational training programs, a trend known as “returning to the furnace,” South China Morning Post reported on July 6, 2026. A survey by the Chinese Society for Technical and Vocational Education of 105 technical schools found the number offering formal programs for university graduates increased from 26 in 2023 to 45 in 2025.

In 2024, recruitment platform Zhaopin reported that 52.2 per cent of graduates believed returning to technical school would improve their job prospects.

Some institutions admit university graduates without entrance exams, requiring only registration and tuition payment. A May 2026 report by the Henan Association for Science and Technology examined reasons for the enrollments. Civil-engineering graduate Zhou Jingbo, unable to secure an interior-design role due to lack of experience and a slump in China’s property sector, enrolled at Zhengzhou Technician College to study electrical automation.