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Job fears in changing world make AI a hot subject at China’s vocational schools

Five years after graduating from a vocational school in the southern Chinese tech hub of Shenzhen, Chen Hao found himself working as a salesman for…

By Samantha Johnson / July 25, 2026

Five years after graduating from a vocational school in the southern Chinese tech hub of Shenzhen, Chen Hao found himself working as a salesman for a local electronics factory.

His daily routine involved exhausting trips between corporate clients, and he had not seen a pay rise for years. The 26-year-old decided he wanted a change.

“Everybody in Shenzhen is talking about artificial intelligence, so I want to find a job in the sector too,” Chen said. “I know my degree makes it impossible to get into a big-name tech company, but I just want a desk job so I don’t have to spend all my time on the road, and in a field with a more promising future.”

He quit his job recently and has been checking out short-term AI courses at local technical colleges. He has visited four but remains undecided, adding that their curricula were not the main attraction.

“Learning AI skills itself is not the point, because you can learn them online as well,” Chen said. “The point is that these schools can connect you with industry insiders – who often serve as the instructors – and ultimately lead to a job.”

The swift expansion of AI in China, triggering job-loss fears and boosting demand for those with AI skills, is driving people like Chen to seek out specialised vocational training.

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