The leading United Kingdom body for vocational education and training, City and Guilds of London Institute, announced on Friday that it will offer vocational training to 70,000 Chinese over the next two years.

It will also develop specific programs to support training for the Beijing Olympics, covering catering and hospitality for the Olympics Training Committee, Beijing City Tourism Bureau and Beijing Tourism Group.

Under an agreement with China's Occupational Skills Testing Authority (OSTA) of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MLSS), students in China will be able to take a range of City and Guilds' International Vocational Qualifications in Chinese.

The courses will cover retailing, telecommunications, international tourism, hospitality and catering.

"These areas are also where China is experiencing a severe shortage of qualified professionals as it prepares for the Beijing Olympic Games and Shanghai World Expo," said Trevor Bond, City and Guilds head of international sales.

Li Jingshen, senior engineer and supervisor of occupation skill testing of OSTA, said overseas vocational education and training would help resolve skills shortages amid China's rapid economic growth.

Li said OSTA had authorized more than ten foreign education and training agents to operate in China.

(Xinhua News Agency September 15, 2007)