A network-wide education initiative with the theme of “Realising Dreams of Further Education” is being undertaken by the Open University of China (OUC) to implement the "Realising Dreams of Further Education" plan developed by the Ministry of Education and the All-China Federation of Trade Unions for industrial workers.

In order to make the teaching, management and support services of the project better meet the needs of businesses and students, the OUC Experimental School organised a series of research activities in collaboration with the China Chain Store & Franchise Association (CCFA). On 15 March, a group of 9 people, including Li Xinhui and Qi Kun, deputy deans of the OUC Experimental School; Guo Yujin, CCMA deputy secretary-general; Chen Siming, director of the OUC headquarters Office for Industrial Workers Project and an administrator with the Guangzhou Distance Education Centre, visited the Beijing Chaoshifa Supermarket Development Chain, a CCFA member, to conduct field research.

The research consisted mainly of a meeting, which was attended by Li Yanchuan, chairman of Beijing Chaoshifa Supermarket Development Chain, leaders of company departments, and student representatives. The meeting was chaired by Guo Yujin, deputy secretary-general of the CCFA.

At the meeting, a work report on the education of trainees in autumn of 2018 was given by employees. Subsequently, Li Xinhui introduced the work of the education project in relation to integration of industry and education over the past year. Two trainee representatives discussed their learning experiences, difficulties and needs, and Chaoshifa Supermarket human-resources leaders gave feedback on the learning needs of other students, and expressed support for the participation of employees in the project. During the meeting, OUC Experimental School personnel had in-depth exchanges with the trainees as a basis for improving the quality of teaching and support services.

Li Yanchuan said at the meeting that Chaoshifa Supermarket favors the education of its employees, and that the educational model of “learning while employed” provided by the OUC meets the employee-training needs of the company in terms of having them gain academic qualifications and of enhancing their abilities. Therefore it supports their education, and hopes they will seize this opportunity.

Since 2018, the OUC and CCFA have cooperated in running schools through the "Realising Dream of Further Education" initiative, an entirely network-based education project. Last autumn, the first 440 students were enrolled, and Beijing Chaoshifa Supermarket Development Chain became one of the first units to participate in the project. At present, 95 of its employees are signed up for classes. The OUC, as always, strives to maintain learner support and quality standards, and to cultivate students whose skills will benefit their employers and themselves.

By Qi Kun, OUC Experimental School