Abstract: Owing to lack of overall design, continuing education system of social workers in China is characterized by blurred orientation, fragmentary organization and selfcontradiction. Problems emerge with the system such as the training form and content being inadequate to meet the needs of social workers, training time varying widely, training effect being unsatisfactory, training infrastructure needing improvement, and social work in rural areas needing support due to uneven development between urban and rural social work. To improve the continuing education system, a scientific and reasonable management system and an operating mechanism should be established, and a lifelong education system of social work need be constructed.

Key words: social workers, continuing education, management system, operating mechanism