A file photo shows trainees at a vocational training school in Chongqing learning how to transfer bedridden seniors into a wheelchair. (Photo/Sun Kaifang)

Chongqing - Chongqing has recently launched China's first publicly funded smart eldercare college program, offering free tuition, guaranteed employment, and clear career pathways to address the growing shortage of talent in the aging services sector.

Jointly developed by the Chongqing Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau and Chongqing City Management College, the program will enroll its first cohort of 100 students this fall.

Just a week after the admissions announcement was released, the program has drawn over 4,000 inquiries, both online and offline, far surpassing expectations, Xu Ying, head of admissions at Chongqing City Management College, told Chongqing Daily on June 18. 

According to the announcement, the program follows a model of voluntary application, merit-based selection, public funding, and targeted employment. Prospective students must take this year's national college entrance exam. Those admitted will sign agreements committing to at least three years of frontline service in eldercare institutions arranged by the civil affairs authority. 

Transfers to other majors or institutions are generally not permitted. During the three-year study period, tuition and accommodation fees will be fully covered, and students will be eligible for the same scholarships and financial aid policies as those in other majors.

Chongqing is home to 8.01 million residents aged 60 and above—roughly one-quarter of its permanent population, according to an official from the Chongqing Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau. The demand for eldercare professionals is surging, with a shortage of 15,000 skilled workers and growing structural imbalances.

While most existing roles are concentrated in basic services such as caregiving and assisted bathing, emerging positions like eldercare consultants and smart product designers remain largely unfilled. The official noted that traditional training models can no longer keep pace with the sector's evolving needs, making the expansion of a skilled, diversified workforce an urgent priority.

With a focus on long-term talent development, the program aims to move students beyond frontline roles. Instead, they may be trained for management positions, with top performers eligible for promotion to roles such as department head or facility director.

Enrollment is expected to begin in mid-to-late July, with graduates receiving a full-time associate's degree. "This is more than just a strong interest in a new enrollment program—it marks a critical breakthrough and upgrade in building a professional and high-level talent development system for eldercare," said Xu.

The Chongqing Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau will invest approximately 10 million yuan ($1.39 million) over the next three years to support the program.

To address talent shortages in the sector, Chongqing has also released an implementation plan to strengthen the city’s eldercare talent pool in 2024. The plan includes measures to link professional skill levels with compensation, gradually establish systems for job subsidies, entry incentives, and enterprise annuities, and recognize outstanding institutions and individuals in the field.