Students learn vocational skills at the Guizhou Machinery Industry School on March 3. [Photo provided by Liu Xiancheng]

As a better job often leads to better income, vocational schools in Guizhou province are lending a hand to students from poor families by cultivating their potential talents for future jobs.

Ten vocational schools in the province have set up exclusive classes for students from poor families, exempting their tuition, accommodation and book expenses. The students are also able to receive grants from central government.

Seventeen-year-old Wang Dingbing has been studying at Guizhou Machinery Industry School for almost two years. He once intended to look for a job after finished his study at junior high school as his family could not afford his tuition anymore. Fortunately, he learned of the vocational programs offered in the province.

“I never thought I could make mechanical drawings,” Wang said. “I want to be a senior technician someday.”

The province plans to cultivate 6,000 students for free attendance at the vocational schools by the end of 2020.

A student learns how to operate a machine. [Photo provided by Liu Xiancheng]