Yuan Haozhe arrives at the satellite production line at 9 AM, starting another day of assembly work. After systematic training and on-the-job practice, he has mastered production processes and operational standards. Just one month after joining the Beijing commercial aerospace firm Dongsheng Aerospace as a satellite assembly technician, he can already complete basic assembly tasks independently.
As Beijing's "south rockets, north satellites" industrial layout matures, the increasing number of "Beijing rockets" and "Beijing satellites" being launched requires more highly skilled "aerospace craftsmen." The vocational education system's "custom training class" model has become a key driver of industry-education integration. This graduation season, dozens of fresh graduates from Beijing Vocational University of Science and Technology, including Yuan Haozhe, have brought their specialized skills from campus to Dongsheng Aerospace's satellite production line, achieving a seamless transition from graduation to competence.
Seamless Transition from Graduation to Work
Inside Dongsheng Aerospace's satellite workshop, processes like welding, electrical assembly, and testing run efficiently. Among the anti-static-suited technicians, a group of fresh graduates exudes youthful energy. "Repeatedly honing my soldering skills at school allowed me to precisely control temperature, joint size, and quality, which is the most valuable skill," says Zhang Wanqian, a recent graduate from the aircraft electromechanical equipment maintenance program at Beijing Vocational University of Science and Technology. He notes that the stringent standards and low tolerance for error in aerospace production made his solid foundational training crucial for adapting to satellite assembly's strict requirements. Since joining, he has completed production tasks while refining his precision welding techniques, focusing on micro-component challenges to boost his professional skills.
"Commercial aerospace production shares logic with high-end industries like aviation and automotive, centering on high-precision, standardized assembly," says Zhang Jingxuan, HR head at Dongsheng Aerospace. She explains that the demands for production standardization, safety, and rigor are uniform across aerospace fields, making these graduates' solid foundations and practical abilities a perfect match for satellite production lines. Building on this, a new batch of talent tailored for satellite manufacturing is being cultivated. Recently, Dongsheng Aerospace partnered with the School of Aeronautical Engineering at Beijing Vocational University of Science and Technology to establish the "Dongsheng Aerospace Satellite Manufacturing Class," aimed at training more skilled personnel for satellite production.
Bringing the Production Line into the Classroom
"Traditional vocational education focuses on theoretical general knowledge, with limited practical training, often creating a gap between content and real-world production needs," says Zhang Jingxuan. As commercial aerospace enters a phase of low-cost, high-volume rapid development, the shortage of specialized, hands-on talent is widening. Integrating the production line into campus training classrooms has become crucial for bridging this gap.
In the "Dongsheng Aerospace Satellite Manufacturing Class," the curriculum is co-developed by the school and company, aligning with core job requirements. Classroom techniques mirror production operations. The training system features dual mentorship from school and enterprise teachers: full-time faculty build theoretical foundations, while experienced engineers from the company conduct on-site practical sessions. Training equipment and materials replicate real production scenarios, fully simulating satellite assembly, testing, and debugging processes to meet aerospace's high standards.
Dongsheng Aerospace focuses on developing next-generation internet satellites, computing satellites, and remote sensing satellites, along with key satellite components. It can mass-produce various low and high-orbit satellites for diverse constellation and application needs. The company is now planning a larger satellite manufacturing base in Beijing. By May 2026, its smart satellite manufacturing facility in Shunyi District will be operational, producing 150 satellites annually, each weighing 500 to 1,200 kilograms. As business expands, talent demand grows steadily, and the custom training class aims to fill specialized skill gaps, sending graduates into the workforce with ready skills.
Cultivating Outstanding 'Aerospace Craftsmen'
"This year's new graduates all passed their job assessments and obtained independent work qualifications, quickly stepping into core production roles," says Zhang Jingxuan. "Veteran employees find these young workers easy to train and collaborate with, and many already possess multi-skilled capabilities adaptable to various production tasks."
The infusion of new talent complements the expertise of senior engineers, fostering innovation in process optimization, on-site management, and human-machine collaboration. "These young people have a strong curiosity for new equipment, processes, and systems, and the company has established a clear career progression for them," Zhang Jingxuan notes. Leveraging the national "New Eight-Grade Worker" system, a full career path from apprentice to senior technician is in place. These young employees are also earmarked as core technical talents and management reserves. After long-term frontline experience, they can advance to senior skill levels, eventually becoming versatile aerospace professionals skilled in operations, processes, and management.
China's commercial aerospace sector is booming, with Beijing targeting it as a strategic emerging industry. The "Beijing Action Plan for Accelerating Commercial Aerospace Innovation and Development (2024-2028)" emphasizes promoting industry-education integration and linking research and engineering talent. "A school-enterprise integrated education system can effectively fill the skill gap in the industry while helping young people achieve high-quality employment," says Zhang Jingxuan. Going forward, the company will deepen this integration, improving the "selection, training, use, and retention" mechanism to regularly cultivate skilled aerospace talent, supplying Beijing's commercial aerospace sector with top-quality "aerospace craftsmen."
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