Initiative targets cultivating specialized, vocational talent to drive industry growth

Shanghai unveiled a three-year action plan (2025-27) on May 19 with an aim to cultivate and foster specialized, vocational, high-quality and multi-skilled talent to drive the development of its livestreaming economy.

Under the plan, the city will expand livestreaming talent training and evaluation services to 60,000 sessions and assessments over three years. It also aims to certify 50,000 additional licensed professionals in the sector, including 40,000 with intermediate or higher-level skills, to better align talent supply with industry demand. Career development paths for livestreaming professionals will be broadened, with senior-level professional titles introduced to support advancement.

The plan was jointly issued by the Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, the Office of the Cyberspace Affairs Commission of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, and the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism.

It outlines 15 measures across five categories: setting skill standards, talent training, skills assessment, ecosystem development and incentives.

Shanghai will accelerate efforts to develop a localized vocational skills system to complement national standards. Leading live-streaming platforms, companies and associations will be encouraged to establish training bases for highly skilled talent. Vocational training institutions and service providers are also encouraged to introduce targeted training programs.

Livestreaming companies will be supported in conducting vocational skills assessments tailored to their operational needs. Vocational schools, universities and top human resources agencies with strong ties to livestreaming platforms and e-commerce operators will be encouraged to register as evaluation bodies.

A pilot program will be launched to improve the evaluation process and enhance practical skills, enabling participants to earn two certificates through one examination — a vocational technical grade certificate and another issued by a recognized livestreaming company. Both credentials will play key roles in hiring, promotion and compensation decisions.

The plan also seeks to foster livestreaming industry clusters with distinct characteristics and establish a coordinated talent ecosystem. It encourages collaboration among companies, platforms, training bases, schools and service providers to integrate resources and build a talent supply chain aligned with real-world business needs. Favorable incentives and settlement policies will be offered to attract and retain top-tier live-streaming professionals.

Shanghai has ramped up efforts to grow its livestreaming economy in recent years. Last September, the city released an action plan targeting livestreaming e-commerce retail sales of 600 billion yuan ($84.3 billion) by 2026.

Last year, Shanghai's live-streaming e-commerce retail sales reached 493.7 billion yuan, the highest among Chinese cities and accounting for about 10.5 percent of the national total, according to the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce.