Huainan United University established China’s first major in modern industrial cleaning technology

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The chronic shortage of talent in China’s industrial cleaning industry is expected to be addressed systematically. On December 4, reporters learned from the China Industrial Cleaning Association that the country’s first specialized program in modern industrial cleaning technology was officially launched, and its first batch of students was admitted in July this year through the college entrance examination. “Driven by the association, Huainan United University, and various enterprises, the Chinese industrial cleaning industry, which has been developing for over 40 years, finally has its own university major! ” Du Bin, the secretary-general of the association, was visibly excited during the interview. It is reported that the China Industrial Cleaning Association, Huainan United University, Sinochem Lanxing Cleaning Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Qingdao Xingkong Purification Technology Co., Ltd. and others signed the \"Tripartite Cooperation Agreement for the Development of Modern Industrial Cleaning Technologies\" and the \"Tripartite Cooperation Agreement for Textbook Compilation\" on November 26. They will work together to compile 7 textbooks covering topics such as an introduction to industrial cleaning, chemical cleaning, high-pressure water cleaning, pipeline cleaning, tank cleaning, and safety management. Dong Haili, dean of the School of Pharmacy and Materials at Huainan United University, told reporters that this major was first applied for in 2023 by the university’s associations together with leading enterprises in the industry; it was applied for again in 2024. In 2025, it was officially approved by the Ministry of Education to be included in the catalog of higher vocational education (junior college) programs at regular institutions of higher education. This year, more than 30 students were admitted as part of the first batch. “The association will work with schools to integrate the actual working environment and standards of the industry into daily teaching. First, implement a \"dual-qualified\" teacher training model by encouraging college teachers to conduct practical work in member companies on a regular basis, while also recommending engineers and skilled technicians from these companies to teach part-time or give lectures at the colleges. Second, it involves jointly establishing and sharing internship and training facilities, encouraging member companies and educational institutions to create high-standard training sites, and ensuring that the allocation of training spaces, equipment operation procedures, and safety standards meet relevant regulations. It is worth mentioning that upon completing their studies and passing the assessments, students receive two certificates – a school graduation certificate and an industry skills certificate. This collaborative effort to develop professional standards has received an enthusiastic response and high praise from the industry. “The number of jointly established enterprises has increased from 2 to 7. Lan Ning, assistant general manager of Sinochem Lanxing Cleaning Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., said that as an industry that serves as a \"companion\" to the petroleum and chemical sectors, there are over 100,000 people working in industrial cleaning in China. However, there is a severe shortage of technically skilled professionals in areas such as technical management, construction management, and project management. The emergence of this specialized field is expected to help address this gap. Many employers have expressed optimistic views on the employment prospects for this major. Lanning said that the talent needs of the companies involved in this collaboration far exceed the number of students in the first batch. “For these over 30 students, we will provide subsidies, training facilities, and internship sites, and as one of the first signing organizations, we will actively recruit them for employment. It is hoped that through professional collaboration, comprehensive talents with a solid theoretical foundation and expertise in chemical engineering technologies and cleaning processes can be cultivated. ”Song Jingchao, general manager of Qingdao Star Sky Purification Technology Co., Ltd., also told reporters, “We are not short of people, but we lack talent.” ”