Forty homestay housekeepers from Huzhou's Deqing county obtained their professional skill level certificates on March 8 after passing the initial level examination.

The development marks a significant step towards the standardization of services in the thriving rural lodging venues in China, as these individuals represent the inaugural group of certified homestay housekeepers in the nation.

Reflecting on the future, Xu Ping, a certified homestay housekeeper, expressed optimism, stating, "Obtaining the certificate has provided us with a clearer career path."

Deqing, renowned for its flourishing homestay industry, successfully petitioned to establish homestay housekeeping as a new vocation, a request that was granted approval by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security in 2022.

In a significant development, the national occupational standards for this new career were officially issued in February, with Deqing playing a primary role in their formulation. This issuance signifies a standardized foundation for vocational skills training and skill level certification for homestay housekeepers across the country.

Zheng Shuyun, who heads the vocational skills development division at the Deqing Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, outlined plans to develop a provincial-level question bank and implement a comprehensive system for professional skill level certification for homestay housekeepers, covering five levels.

This initiative aims to provide a structured and professional development pathway for the growing number of individuals engaged in this career, ultimately enhancing their capacity to contribute to the homestay economy and further bolster the industry's sustained growth, Zheng explained.