Youlife Launches Global Think Tank to Reshape Vocational Training for AI Era

SHANGHAI, China – May 28, 2026 – In a significant move to address a widening global skills gap, Chinese blue-collar service provider Youlife Group (NASDAQ: YOUL) today announced the launch of the Future International Vocational Education Research Institute (FIIVE). The Shanghai-based institute is positioned as a global think tank and innovation platform designed to modernize vocational training and prepare the international workforce for the age of artificial intelligence, new energy vehicles, and other emerging industries.

This initiative comes at a critical juncture for both China and the global economy. As industries undergo rapid digital transformation and supply chains are reconfigured, the demand for highly skilled technical talent has outpaced the capacity of traditional education systems. FIIVE aims to bridge this chasm by creating a direct pipeline from cutting-edge research to practical, scalable training solutions.

A Strategic Response to a Global Skills Crisis

The establishment of FIIVE is a direct response to what experts identify as a structural crisis in workforce development. The institute will focus its research on high-growth sectors where talent shortages are most acute. In China alone, the booming New Energy Vehicle (NEV) industry is projected to face a talent deficit of over one million professionals by 2025, particularly in specialized fields like intelligent driving engineering.

Similarly, the burgeoning "low-altitude economy," encompassing drones and urban air mobility, is creating a host of new professions. Recent data shows China has nearly two million registered drones but fewer than 225,000 certified operators, revealing a staggering immediate need for skilled personnel. Recognizing this, the Chinese government has recently added new vocational specialties like "Low-altitude Aircraft Equipment Technology" to its national education framework, with enrollments beginning this fall. FIIVE is designed to develop the curricula and training methodologies for precisely these new roles.

"The restructuring of global supply chains and rapid technological change demand a new approach to developing workforce technical talent," said Mr. Yunlei Wang, founder and CEO of Youlife, in the announcement. "FIIVE provides this approach by ensuring that cutting-edge insights flow directly to our schools and industry partners, thus creating a continuous loop between research, classroom application, and scalable industry models."

The institute will draw on 18 years of operational experience from Youlife's established brands, including the recruitment firm Youlan International and the Tiankun International Education Group, its vocational education subsidiary.

The 'Two-Way Bridge' Model for Global Education

FIIVE's ambitions extend beyond China's borders. The institute aims to function as a "two-way bridge" for vocational expertise, aligning its work with guidelines from the UNESCO International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (UNEVOC). This dual mission involves exporting proven, scalable Chinese vocational training models to emerging markets while simultaneously importing advanced global educational concepts to enhance its domestic programs.

This strategy positions Youlife not just as a training provider but as a potential standard-setter in global blue-collar education. By developing and disseminating frameworks for curriculum design, faculty empowerment, and quality assurance, the institute could influence how technical skills are taught and certified worldwide. This "skill diplomacy" could become a significant element of China's international economic engagement, facilitated through a private enterprise.

The global market for technical and vocational education is on a steep growth trajectory, projected to expand from approximately $812 million in 2024 to over $1.4 billion by 2030. FIIVE's international focus, backed by Youlife's network of over 10 overseas offices, places it in a prime position to capture a share of this expanding market and shape its direction.

From Research to Reality: A Commercial Approach

What sets FIIVE apart is its deeply integrated, commercially-driven operational model. The institute is not a purely academic endeavor; it is a strategic engine for innovation with a clear path to market. Its work is structured around ten core domains, including policy research, digital transformation, curriculum architecture, and the commercialization of research achievements.

Crucially, every new curriculum, training model, or digital tool developed by FIIVE will first be validated within Youlife’s own extensive network of 37 partner vocational schools across 16 provinces in China. This real-world testing ground, which already serves over 10,000 corporate partners, is designed to ensure that all solutions are not only effective but also scalable and commercially viable before being deployed more widely.

This approach appears to be a strategic move to revitalize Youlife's vocational education segment. While the company's overall revenues grew nearly 17% in fiscal year 2025 to reach RMB 1.85 billion (US$265.2 million), revenue from its vocational education services saw a 9.8% decline. The company attributed this dip to the termination of services with long payback periods. FIIVE's focus on accelerated commercialization suggests a new strategy to develop more profitable, market-ready educational products that can quickly generate returns and drive growth in this key segment.

The institute’s seven verticals—spanning research, consulting, curriculum development, teacher training, and project execution—create a comprehensive ecosystem for turning educational theory into tangible workforce solutions. By managing the entire lifecycle from concept to commercial deployment, Youlife aims to significantly shorten the innovation cycle that often plagues traditional academic institutions.

Looking ahead, FIIVE plans to host international forums, publish authoritative industry white papers, and spearhead cross-border educational initiatives. These activities are designed to build its global brand and reinforce Youlife's position at the forefront of a rapidly evolving workforce development landscape, creating a skilled labor force ready for the challenges of tomorrow's industries.