NEW TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The New Taipei City Government's Education Department launched the "International Gold Medalist Cultivation Blueprint Ceremony" (國際級金手培育藍圖啟動儀式) on Thursday (May 16), announcing a comprehensive plan to promote skill-based education across 80 junior high schools in the city.
With an investment of NT$30 million over the next three years, the initiative aims to establish 10 international-level gold medalist training bases, a significant move to bolster vocational education.
In the press event, New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih emphasized the collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Labor (MOL), the Ministry of Education (MOE), as well as industrial and academic professionals to nurture world-class talent for Taiwan.
Showcasing the city's prowess in vocational skills, Mayor Hou highlighted several achievements in recent years, saying, "The New Taipei City has secured the top position in five categories nationally in recent years, especially the outstanding performance of eight national players at the Asian Cup, winning four golds, one silver, and one excellence award."
Mayor Hou also officially appointed 16 teachers, who have guided students to first-place victories in vocational skill competitions, to form an elite "Gold Medal Coaching Team" (菁英金牌教練團).
He further noted that New Taipei City has invested NT$800 million in vocational education over the past four years, which has significantly contributed to its growth and development.
Meanwhile, Chen Hsi-ling, the department head at New Taipei Industrial Vocational High School, praised the MOE's support in training young talent in business software design and web technology, leading to an average of three to four gold medals annually.
Chen commented that this support has been instrumental in allowing teachers to focus on nurturing competitors without any concerns.
