China is pursuing high-quality employment by motivating more people to pursue vocational education and skilled jobs.

On July 5, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security released an action plan to improve the labor force's skills against the backdrop of China's campaign to develop strategic industries and the digital economy.

However, the job market still faces a shortfall in skilled workers, the ministry said. According to a recent survey by the ministry, there are usually two vacancies available for each senior skilled worker.

In view of the shortfall, the nation will step up efforts to train more qualified skilled workers to address the increasing need for talent as it shifts to a high-quality development model, according to the action plan.

It said the population of highly skilled workers in eastern provinces such as Zhejiang and Jiangsu will account for 35 percent of the nation's total skilled workers in the next five years.

According to the ministry, the nation had about 200 million skilled workers, representing about 26.8 percent of those in employment.

The proportion of highly skilled workers in central and western areas is projected to grow by 2 to 3 percentage points, the action plan said.

"I do feel our skilled workers are winning more respect from society and our pay is getting better," said Zhang Ziyang, a bronze medal winner in baking at the 45th World-Skills Competition in Kazan, Russia, who is now teaching baking at a vocational training center in Suzhou, Jiangsu province.

"My former head teacher at junior high school called me last night, asking me about baking classes for a relative who just failed the high school entrance exam," he said.

"The talk would have been impossible several years ago, when people were still prejudiced against vocational education. But now, at least my former head teacher changed his viewpoint and said to me that mastering skills can also provide a good living."

Zhang said that with the nation's growing efforts to promote the social status, evaluation system and promotion channels for skilled workers, he believes the group will grow to be one of the main forces in building the nation into a strong power.

The human resources ministry said that during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), more financial and policy support will be given to skilled workers.

It will encourage more industrial titans and startups to cooperate with vocational schools and training centers to improve the capabilities of students and skilled workers.

More skills competitions and financial incentives will also help, the ministry said.