The National Association of Vocational Education of China (NAVEC) is like a bridge connecting vocational education workers with the Party and government, Vice-Premier Liu Yandong said.

It also plays an important role in promoting research into vocational education and poverty relief, she added.

Liu made the remarks in an address to the NAVEC national congress on Dec 30 in Beijing.

It is urgent, she stressed, to develop vocational education to deal with global skill challenges and competition, and to adapt to the “new normal” of economic development. She was confident that NAVEC could enhance self-development and allow potential to be realized.

Established in 1917, NAVEC is a vocational education organization with input from educational, economic, science and technology sectors, as well as people supporting vocational education.