Weichai Group, one of the largest heavy trucks and components developers in Weifang Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone, certified vocational skills of 17 of its staff members at the end of November. Those certificate holders will enjoy the same benefits as those who have got certificates issued by the national authorities.

It is the first time for Weichai to certify its employees based on its talent demand and standards.

As of May, the Shandong provincial government has enabled 34 local companies to certify vocational skills for their staff members.

Zhai Dengpan has been an electrician at Weichai for 12 years. On the back of the government reform, he was able to apply for skill certification directly from Weichai.

According to Weichai, a total of 51 electricians have participated in vocational skill certification. Among them, 23 applied for advanced electricians' certification, and the rest applied for intermediate electrician's certification. After being assessed in theory, practical skills, and ethical and daily performance, five people qualified as advanced electricians and 12 became intermediate electricians.

Huang Weibiao, director of human resources at Weichai, said the company has a handbook listing all procedures needed in certifying a skilled worker to ensure consistent standards.

Shandong, in the process of industrial upgrading, has not just encouraged companies to foster talent based on their demand, but also built platforms to help them to attract high-caliber talent.

On Nov 29, the zone hosted a matchmaking event to match 27 local companies and 48 professionals from around the China.

Tianrui Heavy Industry, Weichai Group and the zone's People's Hospital signed partnership agreements at the event.

Tianrui agreed with Wang Xiuhe, a professor from Shandong University, to deepen partnership in developing maglev technology, according to Li Yongsheng, founder of Tianrui.

Li said meglev development needs cross-sector support, for instance, in automation and big data.

"We need high-caliber professionals from different industries to support our development," Li said.

He added the partnership with Wang will have strong significance for Tairui's development in the meglev sector.

Peng Yu, a researcher from Harvard University, found his new partner－TusStar incubation center－in Weifang at the event.

"The zone has good industrial support and talent policies, and strong market potential," Peng said.

In recent years, the zone has developed a slew of measures to attract professionals and university graduates to support regional growth.

Weifang Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone is home to a large number of national and provincial-level experts, and has been praised by the Shandong provincial government, according to local officials.

Li Yongsheng (second from right), president of Tianrui Heavy Industry, discusses the development of maglev technology with technicians.

Zhang Guoqing (middle), a traditional Chinese medicine expert, discusses the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicines with other doctors.