Luban Workshops connect BRI countries

A trainee is guided at a Luban Workshop in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug 16, 2021. The China-aided workshops provide vocational training. [Photo/Xinhua]

With 25 Luban Workshops established in 23 countries, they have become a bridge of friendship between China and countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, said Yang Yan, deputy director of Tianjin Luban Workshop Research and Promotion Center.

Named after Lu Ban, known as the father of carpentry of China, who exemplified exquisite craftsmanship and creativity, the workshops aim to cultivate technical professionals worldwide.

Rating the workshops very positively, the majority of students said they want to continue their studies in China, according to Yang at a sub-forum of the first World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference underway in Tianjin from Friday to Saturday.

More than 99 percent of the surveyed students of the workshops said what they learn at the workshops meets the demand of the society, she said.

Almost 80 percent of students said they want to work at Chinese enterprise branches in their countries and more than 80 percent said they want to continue their studies in China, she added.

First established in 2016, the workshops have offered degree education to more than 3,200 people and provided vocational training to more than 11,000 people, according to a report on the workshops' development.

A total of 49 vocational majors have been opened at the workshops, offering education from secondary vocational degree to postgraduate degree.

The standards of Luban Workshops have received wide recognition abroad, with 11 teaching standards of the workshops certified by ministry of education of partner countries, the report said.