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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) — While some tech pioneers are sounding the alarm that artificial intelligence (AI) will replace human jobs, China is seeking to train its massive workforce to remain competitive in a tech-driven future.
Part of this was evident last month when the country's first "rider college" opened in Guangdong Province, southern China.
The initiative is the result of a partnership between the provincial education department and Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com, which jointly opened a courier training college at the local vocational university.
The college's curriculum begins with core subjects such as road safety and workers' rights, but emphasizes advanced subjects such as the operation of AI-powered dispatch platforms, the maintenance of autonomous delivery equipment, cold chain logistics management, and comprehensive training in site operations and regional staff coordination.
The college offers multi-level and diversified, self-paced training for frontline workers such as riders and couriers. The basic tuition is covered by the platforms they work for.
The timing couldn't be better. With the growing number of workers employed in the country's rapidly expanding "new forms of employment," including delivery riders, couriers, and ride-hailing drivers, competition is fierce.
Today, thanks to intelligent technologies, drones and autonomous delivery vehicles are used in logistics in many scenarios, such as transporting agricultural products from remote areas or working in demonstration areas using advanced artificial intelligence.
Rather than viewing technology as a replacement for humans, Chinese policymakers position AI as an evolution that raises skill requirements, allowing workers to master new technologies and perform their specialized roles.
A new phrase, "investing in human capital," has recently appeared in official documents. It was mentioned repeatedly in the government's 2025 work report, long-term development planning documents, and at last month's high-level economic meeting, which set priorities for 2026.
Across China, local governments are increasingly establishing flight schools in rural areas. They are funding drone technology training programs in rural areas, with two main goals: creating jobs for workers returning from cities and increasing agricultural productivity.
In 2025, a total of 30 drone training courses were held in Yichang City, located in Central China's Hubei Province, training 606 people and providing subsidies totaling 808,000 yuan (about US$115,400).
In Baiyin City, Gansu Province, northwest China, local authorities are partnering with vocational schools to offer free drone pilot training to job seekers, including the unemployed, rural migrant workers, and university graduates.
"We also provide students with employment guidance, offering comprehensive services from training to employment," said Gao Minqiang, an employee of the Baiyin District Human Resources and Social Security Bureau in the city of the same name. Three courses have been held so far, training over 100 local residents.
According to Wu Xuejiao, a 34-year-old city resident, the training gave her practical experience operating drones and knowledge about their use in agriculture and logistics. "I think I've gained a new way to make a living," she said. -0-
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