OREANDA-NEWS. December 01, 2014. The first “BN Workshop”, sponsored by Citi Foundation and co-hosted by the China Youth Development Foundation and BNVS (Bai Nian Vocational School), was held in Beijing. Themed “innovative practices for domestic and abroad vocational education”, the workshop was aimed at communicating and exchanging innovative teaching ideas for talent training to strengthen the development of vocational education. Over 200 people attended the open classes and training demonstrations.

They include BNVS Founder and President Li Yao, Citibank (China) Executive Vice President Hongjun Teng, representatives from nine BNVS campuses around China, guests from education authorities, research institutions, business partners, domestic and international non-profit organizations, media and students.

With the goal of benefiting more vocational students, the BN Workshop provides a platform for BNVS to share the successful model with all kinds of vocational education participants around China. During the Workshop, achievements and new ideas of vocational education from China and abroad were exhibited. Four themed workshops, group trainings for principals and discussions were conducted with participants to demonstrate and share ideas in life and vocational skills teaching practices, like teaching over the internet. The event was also supported by cooperating institutions such as IYF (International Youth Foundation) and EDC (Education Development Center, Inc.).

“Citi China is very pleased to support BNVS for the fourth consecutive year, to help young people acquire skills and find suitable employment opportunities, thereby creating a brighter future for them,” noted Hongjun Teng. “We hope this year’s program will open new doors for BNVS to enhance their teaching capability and capacity so that more young people can be equipped for the society and bring more positive and profound influence to low-income families.”

Citi Foundation started to fund BNVS since 2011 to provide free two-year vocational education for youth from low income families, help them get paid internship opportunities, secure employment or start their own businesses after graduation. From 2014, Citi started to help BNVS advance its organizational capacity through construction of its management structure, optimization of its talent structure, upgrading of its information system, and revamping its strategy in campus expansion and curriculum reform. These actions help the students acquire new skills to adapt to the changing urban environment.

As Citi grows steadily in China, Citi is committed to active corporate citizenship to give back to local communities and promote healthy and sustainable social development. With the support of Citi Foundation, Citi strives to put money, talent, and experience to cooperate with partners, carry out youth education and skills training, and help students from low-income families gain academic knowledge, vocational and life skills to secure skill-based employment and job opportunities. In the last three years, employees of Citi have also been engaged in volunteering activities at BNVS to teach students about the banking system, basic financial knowledge and management skills.

Li Yao said, “China's vocational education today ushers in several opportunities, but challenges remain. Above and beyond the objective of solving unemployment issues, the country also needs to consider the sustainable development of youth, teachers’ roles and corporations’ involvement in vocational education. Through decades of practice and exploration, BNVS will continue to look for ways to impact youth vocational education, inspire teachers and businesses to support us, and recruit more volunteers for this worthy cause. We are glad to be able to set up this BN Workshop to share our experiences and exchange ideas of education reform with all the participants.”

With the support of donors, BNVS has provided free vocational education and employment opportunities to more than 4,000 young students from low-income families in the past ten years. Through life skills development and vocational skills training, the students have gained valuable experience needed to thrive in urban life.