Guiyang zone cultivates foreign trade talent

In the Guiyang Comprehensive Bonded Zone, groups of trainees move between logistics hubs and bonded warehouses, taking notes on cross-border e-commerce operations and consulting with platform staff members on export markets. This dynamic scene is part of the zone's signature initiative – the "Dandelion" Foreign Trade Talent Training Program.

Launched in late 2022, the program addresses the region's talent gap by integrating government, academia, and enterprise resources. It focuses on cultivating three core groups: government officials, corporate staff members, and university students. To date, over 20,000 individuals have received training through more than 60 sessions, with over 1,200 guided into cross-border e-commerce roles and over 4,600 entering the foreign trade workforce across China.

This program's modular approach – combining immersive teaching, real-industry scenarios, and enterprise collaboration – has significantly boosted both employability and export capacity. High-level partnerships with 13 universities have produced eight new training platforms, enabling hands-on experience in bonded operations and digital trade. For enterprises, tailored courses in export practices and customs processes have helped bridge the skill gap.

One notable success is Guizhou Noovis Industrial Co, which, after enrolling six employees in the program, completed its first export order within three months. The company now exports to Southeast Asia and is preparing to establish overseas warehouses.

Talent development has translated into tangible growth. By mid-2024, the zone had attracted 1,600 enterprises, with more than 200 in cross-border trade. The number of high-performing foreign trade firms has surged, with 53 now exceeding annual trade volumes of 100 million yuan ($13.94 million).

As Guiyang transforms into a hub for inland trade innovation, the "Dandelion" program is set to expand – training over 5,000 people annually and underpinning the development of provincial-level talent and enterprise incubation bases. The program exemplifies how targeted, systemic training can create new development momentum in inland China's open economy.