Yang says he wanted to become an auto mechanic, but that could take three to four years, which is too long for him.

"I'm also interested in being an electrician and it takes less time," he says.

He attends school every Tuesday and Saturday, for he has to work more on other days.

After passing the primary-level examination, Yang can get a certificate that allows him to work on low-voltage power systems, such as home appliances; but if he wants to have more choice in the job market, he has to pursue the high-level certificate for high-voltage power systems.

Yang will look for an electrician position when he is qualified. "I heard that an electrician can earn 3,000 to 4,000 yuan per month."

However, he says many companies have cut their recruitment plans and their staff are reluctant to start job-hopping.

"Anyway, a skill belongs to me. It will be useful some day," says Yang, who has been in Beijing for six years.

The training fee for the primary-level courses is about 450 yuan, which is affordable for Yang, but a little too much for Li Zhengwen.

"I've already lost my job, but I have to pay for the training, I hope the government can do something," Li says.

The central government in early February ordered local authorities to organize three to six months of training for jobless migrant workers from this year.

Some provinces, especially the labor force regions, have already acted. Chongqing and central China's Anhui Province both plan to provide training for the migrant workers to start their own business.

"In 2009, we will offer training for 50,000 migrant workers," says Chen Xiaoling, deputy director of Anhui labor and social security bureau.

In Henan, another major source of the country's migrant workers, the provincial government also leveraged a government-subsidized project that will retrain 2 million migrants.

The subsidy will be given to training facilities, 400-600 yuan for each migrant worker, to provide short-term occupational training for them.

Beijing, however, still has no plan for free training, according to the municipal labor and social security bureau.

The bureau is focusing on providing employment information for migrant workers and helping to protect their interests while job-hunting, says an information officer of the bureau who declined to be named.

"We encourage them to find out what skills the cities really need and get vocational training at home, instead of just coming to the cities."

Although some of Li Zhengwen's fellow-villagers returned home, he says he has been accustomed to city life.

"The countryside often lacks electricity and it's difficult to get connected to the Internet," he says.

Li usually read newspapers or looks for job ads on the Internet. He says he often sent his resume to all kinds of possible employers via e-mail, whereupon he got the last job interview.

"I cannot imagine the life without the Internet."

He insists the big cities have more working opportunities. His wife is also in Beijing, doing cleaning work.

But their 16-year-old daughter will go to high school in their hometown in September, which could cost 10,000 yuan a year -- well out of reach for the couple, who depend on the 1,000 yuan a month earned by Li's wife.

"Although my wife never complains, I've felt the pressure," Li says. "I have to get a job as soon as possible. Hope the skill training course I signed in would be helpful."

(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2009)