Recently, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security ("MOHRSS") and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology ("MIIT") have jointly issued the Guiding Opinions on Deepening the Reform of Professional Title System for Engineering Technicians (the "Opinions").
The Opinions state that a series of measures, including improving the institutional system, optimizing the assessment criteria, innovating the assessment mechanism, getting connected with the cultivation and use of talent, tightening the in-process and ex-post regulation and optimizing public services, will be taken to create a professional title system for engineering technicians that features a reasonable structure, full coverage, scientific assessment and standardized administration. Among others, the Opinions state that, a new professional title as senior engineer will be introduced, and senior professional titles are divided into the senior level and the deputy senior level, while junior professional titles are awarded at the technician level and at the assistant level. In addition, efforts will be made to establish a dynamic mechanism to adjust the relevant majors, form an effective linkage between the professional title system and the professional qualification system, and unblock career development paths for high-skill talent to become engineering technicians. Moreover, the Opinions call for improving the assessment forms, set up the insider assessment mechanism which bases on comments from peer experts, and pay attention to the recognition from the general public and from insiders.