On Monday, 18 leaders and experts from eight countries, including Cuba, The Gambia, and Austria, visited the Luban Workshop Construction Experience Museum at Tianjin Light Industry Vocational Technical College.

The delegation exchanges learning experiences with Mohamed Adel, an international student from Egypt. (Photo via China Daily)

Originating in Tianjin, the Luban Workshop is a brand for international vocational education cooperation. To date, 38 Luban Workshops have been established across 15 countries in Asia and Europe, and 17 countries in Africa.

These workshops align with the industrial needs of Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries, offering 25 specialized programs in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, new energy, and other fields.

Equipped with comprehensive training facilities, they have helped over 17,000 young people acquire vocational skills.

H.E. Muhammad B.S. Jallow, vice-president of the Republic of The Gambia, praised the valuable experience of using new technologies to upgrade traditional jobs, accelerate labor mobility across positions, and nurture a large pool of skilled talent.

He said he was "very impressed" and believed it was something "all of us can learn from". While acknowledging that automation displaces some workers, he said those affected would be retrained for other roles, particularly in port control rooms. The efficiency gains, he added, would allow the port to handle more containers — a net positive, in his view, for the broader economy.

At the center of Luban Workshops are vocational students taking advantage of the opportunities available. "Besides professional skills, the school also arranges Chinese language courses," said Mohamed Adel, an international student from Egypt. "To build a bridge for China-foreign cooperation, mastering Chinese or English is essential."

Abdelrhman, a student from Russia, lauded the opportunities for hands-on practice. "I've also learned how to weave Chinese knots and participated in various training projects and skills competitions at the base," he added.