A special training course for retired skiers was launched on Monday in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, with aim to help them start new career.

According to Weng Jiaren, director of Human Resources Development Center of General Administration of Sports, the demand of skiing company in skifields is increasing in recent years as the sport is becoming popular in China.

"So we decided to offer lessons for retired skiers to help them find new jobs," Weng said, adding that the retired skiers would begin their new careers in skifields after finishing training course and getting certification.

(Xinhua News Agency December 16, 2008)