BEIJING -- China's Ministry of Education has issued a circular asking local authorities to guide industries, enterprises and schools to jointly offer apprenticeship programs.

This is among the ministry's efforts to implement a national plan for vocational education reform, an official statement said Tuesday.

Schools and enterprises should work together to establish high-level standards for teaching, curriculum, and practical training conditions under modern apprenticeship, according to the circular.

Skills that apprentices are trained in should match industry demand, and course content should be aligned with vocational standards, the circular said.

The ministry called for the promotion of a "double mentor" system under which teaching tasks of apprenticeship programs will be co-completed by teachers from schools and mentors from enterprises.

Greater efforts will be made to facilitate the reciprocal employment of staff members and joint technological research and development between schools and enterprises, the circular noted.