ABB launches a new model for cultivating high-level skilled workers in China

Chongqing, China—April 6, 2007—ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, joined hands today with Chongqing Machinery School of Advanced Skilled Workers to establish the first “ABB Class.” The cooperation program aims at developing young skilled workers to make up the shortage in the manpower market. Meanwhile, ABB set up ABB scholarship in the school to fund the underprivileged students in the upcoming four consecutive years.

Scheduled to open in April of 2007, the first “ABB Class” will train 45 students. During the training period, ABB and the school will form a joint faculty to teach the courses on the basic knowledge and production process of transformers. Technical and human resources experts as well as functional staff concerned from ABB Chongqing Transformer Co., Ltd. (CNCTC) are planned to deliver classes for the students. Before their graduation, the trained students will stay in CNCTC for half a year to get on-field practice. Many of them will have the opportunity to be employed by the largest transformer manufacturer in the world. The joint development model for skilled workers combines the vocational education closely with enterprises, which will facilitate the development of skilled workers and effectively bring schools and employers closer.

At the same time, ABB (China) Ltd. set up the ABB scholarship. In the following four years, ABB will donate RMB150, 000 yuan annually to fund 100 financially disadvantaged students to study in the school and turn them into the much needed advanced skilled workers to serve the society. The effort is made to give more needy young people opportunities to study, which will help them grasp urgently required skills and get rid of poverty by taking up an occupation.

Hou Xingzhi, deputy secretary-general of Chongqing General Office, Bernd Muehe and Han Yu, senior vice presidents of ABB China, Matti Stoor, general manager of CNCTC, Ulrich O. Birch, president of ABB Jiangjin Turbo System Co., Ltd., and Jin Duxiao, principle of Chongqing Machinery School of Advanced Skilled Workers attended the signing ceremony today.

“High quality products come from high quality talents. As a company that has a full range of business activities in China, including manufacturing, R&D, sales and service, ABB China not only has demand for senior research and development professionals, but also for a large number of technical workers who have good command of advanced technical skills,” said Muehe, senior vice president of Power Products for ABB in China and North Asia. “By launching the joint training program for skilled workers, ABB hopes to create a talent development model, which is strong in interaction and fast in effectiveness. We choose Chongqing to start the program in order to give further support to China’s ‘go west’ strategy.”

Statistics indicate that Chinese market has seen a dramatic increase in its demand for technical workers, especially high- and middle-level skilled workers. China is facing an increasingly conspicuous contradiction characterized by the fact that on the one hand it is difficult for college graduates to find a job, and on the other hand it is difficult to find high-skilled workers with high salary. The development of technical workers tops the agenda of governments at the central, provincial and local levels. On March 9 this year, at a special meeting held by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, different regions are urged to make greater efforts to promote the cooperation between institutions and enterprises in an endeavor to accelerate the development of skilled workers.

“ABB has always attached great importance to developing talents by offering employees a variety of training programs to help them grow in their work,” noted Han Yu, senior vice president of Human Resources for ABB in China and North Asia. “CNCTC has a strong strength in its technical worker force. It possesses a large number of high skilled workers who have helped solve many high level technical problems. A good case in point is Li Hong, who is listed among ‘Chongqing Top 10 Outstanding Technical Talents’. I believe that their perfect mastery of technical skills and dedication will give the students in ABB Class a greater space for study.”

Founded in 1952, Chongqing Machinery School of Advanced Skilled Workers is a key national technical school affiliated to the economic committee of Chongqing municipal government. It contains 257 teaching and administrative staff, as well as more than 4000 students. Since its establishment, the school has cultivated more than 20000 technical workers for the nation. Its graduates spread all over the country.

ABB (China) Ltd.’s consistent commitment to corporate social responsibilities is better reflected in its strong support to China’s education and the country’s efforts in alleviating poverty. In addition to continuously funding needy college students from more than 20 universities in the country, ABB China encourages its over 20 local enterprises and employees in China to actively participate in public welfare activities and take its responsibilities as an outstanding corporate citizen in China.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 108,000 people worldwide. ABB has a full range of business activities in China, including R&D, manufacturing, sales and service, with 11,000 employees, 25 joint ventures and wholly owned companies, and an extensive sales and service network across 38 cities. To know more about ABB, visit www.abb.com.cn.