The recipients of the Vocational Skill Level Certificate for Internet Marketers pose for a picture at the Zhejiang Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Technician on Dec 9. [Photo/zgyww.cn]

The Zhejiang Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Technician awarded the Vocational Skill Level Certificate for Internet Marketers to 18 commercial livestreaming hosts in Yiwu, East China's Zhejiang province, on December 9.

These 18 hosts represent the first group of State-recognized internet marketers following the announcement of national standards by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security in late November.

Livestreaming e-commerce has been developing rapidly across China in recent years.

Home to the world's largest wholesale market for small commodities, Yiwu has consistently been at the forefront of the industry. Over the first nine months of this year, Yiwu hosted 154,000 commercial livestreaming events, a 59.7 percent year-on-year growth. More and more wholesalers in Yiwu have come to realize the huge business opportunities presented by livestreaming product endorsement.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security predicts that the country's demand for internet marketers will reach 40 million individuals by 2025. The publication of national standards for internet marketers not only promotes the codes of practice but also raises the social acceptability of the emerging profession.

Among the 18 Yiwu recipients of the certificates was Fu Jiangyan, a shopkeeper at Area 4 of Yiwu International Trade Market. "I worked hard to pass the required exam to obtain the certificate. This would greatly benefit my career development in the future," said Fu.

The national standards also divide internet marketers into four categories and set three or five skill levels for each category. The move would help human resource departments in e-commerce enterprise ascertain appropriate remuneration levels for their internet marketers as well as strengthen consumers' trust and confidence in these professionals.

Jin Zhaofei, deputy director of Yiwu Administration of Human Resources and Social Security, said, "The issuing of skill level certificates will help improve the overall performance of internet marketers and spur the orderly development of livestreaming e-commerce."