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Ren to Learn, a free evening and online school for Chinese migrant workers offering vocational training, business courses, and networking through in-person classes and WeChat.
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Ren to Learn is a free evening and online school where new city workers can learn essential skills and connect for better further opportunities. The courses are either taught by university students in person or available online via WeChat.
Background
Agricultural jobs have been declining for years in China due to increases in productivity. At the same time, the dynamic urban economy has generated great demands for labor. According to World Bank, an estimated 250 million Chinese have left the countryside and migrated to the cities in recent years and the number is expected to surpass 300 million by 2025. However, due to a lack of business and language skills, migrant workers usually fill the most menial and low paying jobs in cities.
Most migrant workers have moved to Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and other big coastal cities. To mirror this, “Ren to Learn” is piloting in these cities and look to expand to more cities later on.
Full resolution user journey map here
Program
Vocational Training
Skills development is the key to climbing the career ladder from lower-skilled to higher-skilled jobs. “Ren to Learn” provides vocational trainings, which are put into practice right away and improve work performance. Enrollees are put in touch with mentors, which makes lifelong learning a reality. “Ren to Learn” offers various kinds of courses: tourism, personal assistance, and language training are just a few popular ones.
Business Courses
Ren to Learn provides business courses in accounting, entrepreneurship, and law. After training, migrant workers can start their own businesses back home. This would provide motivation and business opportunities. These courses are also available online so that enrollees can get access to all the resources via WeChat.
Networking Opportunity
Every Thursday night, all enrollees in a particular course are given the opportunity to meet and share. “Ren to Learn” promotes lifelong learning partnerships and a platform for migrant workers to connect with each other. We also provide cultural events and celebrations for workers where they can share their hometown traditions.
Features & Logistics
- Personalized Learning
- Ren to Learn provides a personal survey to understand individual needs and suggests courses based on one’s skill set and career interests
- Three Month Program
- Most courses are short term with a practical focus, typically three month in length and concludes with a final presentation or exam
- WeChat Discussion Platform
- Since Google and Youtube are often unavailable in China, Ren to Learn utilizes WeChat, the most popular social media platform, to connect migrant workers and provide useful information that does not require extensive internet data or robust wifi connection.
- Partner with local university students
- Ren to Learn recruits local university students to be instructors and provides a space for students to apply their knowledge learned in school to real world teachings.
- Partner with local companies
- Based on custom request from local companies, Ren to Learn can provide on-the-job training. After the training, workers have the ability to be promoted to a better position within the company.
Future Development
We look forward to expanding this platform to other cities in China, as well as to other countries that experience a similar migrant crisis.
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