A well-planned initiative
The second term of the program builds on 13 core modules with new courses in smart home management, medical accompaniment, pet care, and family psychological counseling, aligning with emerging market demands.
"Domestic workers should evolve from being mere helpers to becoming professional family life service specialists," states Jia Wei, dean of Shanghai Open University. He emphasizes that high-end talent must not only possess diverse professional skills but also understand family culture and living habits to help families improve their lives.
"Our first lesson is to 'see the family' — to look beyond housework and recognize the emotional needs and relationship dynamics within a household, allowing them to apply their skills where they are most needed," Jia explains. Trainees learn to identify and bridge emotional gaps in families, transforming from ordinary domestic workers into professional service providers.
The trainee profile has improved significantly.
The average age of the students is 39.8 — 1.2 years younger than the first term — with 42.3 percent holding a bachelor's degree or higher, up 14 percent. Nearly a quarter have over 10 years of experience, and all were chosen through resume screening, psychological testing, written exams, and interviews.
Zhong Wenfeng, a new trainee and former children's art teacher with a degree in fine arts, now works as a child companion.
"Many people don't understand my choice. They think a college graduate is wasting her education in domestic work," Zhong says. "But domestic service is far from just cleaning. I apply my art expertise — teaching children painting and crafts, designing learning spaces, and guiding their cognitive development through art."
All training hours are recorded in the university's credit bank and can be converted into credits for domestic service degree programs. Shanghai Open University is the city's only institution accredited to offer undergraduate degrees in domestic service studies.
Upon graduation, trainees will have access to academic credit pathways and priority hiring at employee-based enterprises. Eligible graduates will be prioritized for the Shanghai high-skilled domestic service talent pool.
"The domestic service industry is a sunrise industry, and more importantly, a heartwarming livelihood cause," says Zhang Jingjing, director of the livelihood service industry development division at the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce.
For An, the professional organizer, the program has meant more than skill upgrading. She now trains new practitioners, researches market demands, and develops standardized service protocols. Her former classmates remain in close contact — some have transitioned into high-end private chefs, while others promote professional services through new media.
"There are no shortcuts in this profession. Short-term experience can only get you through the moment. Continuous learning is what carries us forward," An says. "We have chosen a career related to family happiness. Stand on professionalism, deliver service with warmth, and we will earn society's respect for the domestic service industry."
