Yichang breaks ground on new vocational education base

By Zeng Lei, Yichang International Communication Studio

Work began January 11 on a new vocational education base in the Yichang High-tech Zone, aimed at reinforcing links between firms, vocational schools and universities.

The project will focus on Yichang’s green chemicals, new energy and new materials industries.

With a total investment of about 160 million yuan (USD 23.68 million), the project in Baiyang Industrial Park will encourage scientific and technical talents to take part in the R&D activities of firms in the park. In addition, it will provide skills training for new recruits, said Deng Xidong, President of Hubei Three Gorges Polytechnic.

Yichang, which holds 15 percent of China's total phosphate reserves, is the largest phosphate base in the Yangtze River Basin. Revenue from Yichang’s phosphate chemicals accounts for 12.4 percent of the national total. Key enterprises present in the area include Xingfa Group, Yihua Group and Hubei Sanning Chemical Co.

The Yichang government wants to speed up the development of a national phosphate base, covering fertilizers, fine-grained chemicals and phosphogypsum.