A total of 100 billion yuan from the surplus in unemployment insurance funds will be allocated to the campaign of improving vocational skills for over 15 million people this year, said Tang Tao, vice-minister of human resources and social security, at a press briefing held by the State Council Information Office on May 10.

He said that the campaign is aimed at strengthening vocational training for enterprise staff, migrant workers, high school graduates, veterans, laid-off workers, and poverty-stricken labor groups, in order to boost employment and cultivate technical talent for economic development.

This year, over 15 million people will enjoy subsidized vocational training in upgrading their skills or switching jobs or industries; in three years, over 50 million people will be trained, Tang said.

Tang also said that workers, training entities and government will be encouraged to participate in the campaign through preferential policies and deepened administrative reforms.

Vocational schools, enterprises and social training institutions will receive support to provide training programs, and local authorities will adjust and improve policies on providing vocation training subsidies for all eligible workers, he added.

He also called for efforts to enhance coordination among involved departments, give full play to the role of local authorities, and strengthen policy publicity and interpretation.