An acceptance evaluation meeting for the British Luban Workshop, Europe's first vocational training program initiated by Tianjin, was held in the organizer's city on Dec 15.

Sponsored by the Tianjin-based Luban Workshop Research and Promotion Center, seven experts across the country were invited to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the workshop's management, effectiveness and experience, and characteristic results.

Officials and experts take a group photo during the British Luban Workshop Acceptance Evaluation Meeting in Tianjin on Dec 15. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

It was agreed that the British Luban Workshop, with accurate development positioning and scientific construction planning, has been committed to building a high-end Chinese catering brand and an education and training system, which will help improve the standards of the overseas service sector and drive Tianjin catering companies to expand overseas markets.

The British Luban Workshop established four levels of academic qualifications for Chinese Culinary Arts. Level 2 and above have been approved by Qualifi, a recognised UK awarding organization, and were included in England's national general and vocational system.

In 2019, a center for teaching Chinese culinary arts was established in Liverpool. Covering an area of about 600 sq m, it is divided into a kitchen, a tasting room, a demonstration restaurant and a dish research and development area. Luban Workshop students are able to receive learn authentic skills and experience Chinese food culture here.

Being not only part of the workshop, but also a flagship Chinese food store, the center has realized self-operation and sustainable development. The project was highly affirmed by governments from both sides, and has exerted influence in the UK and the European Union.

The program has benefited China-UK exchanges in fostering professionals. In cooperation with local enterprises, the workshop established several off-campus innovation training bases that align classroom education with real-world needs.

Up to 100 percent of front-line foreign teachers in the British Luban Workshop believe that the personnel training goals, course content and teaching methods can meet the needs of  individuals, as well as society. They also agreed that online teaching worked well during the epidemic.

The graduates' overall satisfaction ratio has reached 100 percent. Over 87.5 percent of them were satisfied with their humanistic exchange experience.

"The workshop has achieved fruitful results. We will make continuous efforts to make it an important carrier that promote cultural exchanges and people-to-people bonds," said Bai Haili, deputy director of the Tianjin Municipal Education Commission.