Promoting Equity through Education, Advancing Development through Skills | China Craftsman Valley Delegation Engages in Discussions with UNESCO Bodies

To implement the various cooperation agreements reached in previous meetings and discuss the next steps in the work plan, a delegation representing China Craftsman Valley conducted a special working exchange at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris from March 24 to 25 (Paris time). The delegation consisted of Sun Aiping, Executive Vice President of China POCY Group; Ma Jia, General Manager of the Education Division; Zhang Shukun, Assistant to the President of Tangshan Maritime Institute; and Chang Haiman, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Office at Caofeidian College of Technology.

During the visit, the delegation held separate discussions with the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (UNESCO-UNEVOC) and UNESCO's Global Skills Academy (GSA). The core topics focused on deepening cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and accelerating the implementation of the "100 Global Youth Skills Scholarship" program (hereinafter referred to as the "100 Scholarship Program"). Through these pragmatic consultations, both sides refined cooperation details and clarified implementation pathways, marking a new phase of accelerated and in-depth development in their partnership.

Deepening TVET Cooperation to Cultivate Future-Ready Skilled Talents

During a roundtable discussion with Prof. Dr. Friedrich Huebler, Head of UNESCO-UNEVOC, the two sides focused on the effective implementation of TVET projects. They explored collaborative pathways within the global skilled talent cultivation system and exchanged views on future cooperation in the training of TVET teachers and staff. These discussions laid a solid foundation for subsequent initiatives in capacity building for educators and joint curriculum development. The delegation proposed, based on the resource advantages of Craftsman Valley institutions, the establishment of a UNESCO-UNEVOC liaison center in China. This center would coordinate international cooperation projects in TVET, facilitate the alignment of technical standards, co-develop curricula, and organize teacher exchange and training programs, thereby promoting mutual learning and sharing of global experiences in vocational education.

Accelerating the "100 Scholarship Program" to Enhance Skills for Promising Global Youth

At the Global Skills Academy (GSA), the delegation held discussions with Soledad Patiño, GSA Coordinator, and Ramon Iriarte, Senior Expert. The focus was on the "100 Scholarship Program." The delegation provided a detailed report on the program's progress, highlighting the development of curricula in the four pilot areas: Industrial Robotics, Nursing and Health, Hospitality Management, and Cross-border E-commerce. The two sides meticulously aligned on preparations for the scholarship recipients' arrival in China, the curriculum and study schedule during their stay, and cross-cultural understanding. They agreed to accelerate the selection process, refine the curriculum implementation plan, and promote internationally recognized skills certification. The joint goal is to ensure the successful and orderly launch of the first "Chinese + Vocational Skills" training cohort for young international scholars in June 2026.

The "100 Scholarship Program" is a joint initiative of China POCY Group and UNESCO's Global Skills Academy (GSA), designed to empower promising youth from Africa, Latin America, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) through "Chinese + Vocational Skills" training. Since its launch in July 2025, both parties have maintained close communication and engaged in multiple follow-up meetings. This latest meeting has further consolidated consensus and refined concrete measures to jointly accelerate the program's implementation.

Demonstrating Chinese Corporate Responsibility and Contributing to Global Education Governance

As the second Chinese enterprise, following Huawei, to be selected for both UNESCO's Global Education Coalition (GEC) and the Global Skills Academy (GSA), China POCY Group consistently adheres to its philosophy of "empowering youth with skills and connecting the world through education." Leveraging its international, high-quality vocational skills training and employment solutions, the Group continuously helps young people enhance their employability, entrepreneurial capacity, and core competencies to navigate technological change.

This dedicated working mission to UNESCO Headquarters represents a key measure to deepen pragmatic cooperation and drive project implementation. It also constitutes a significant practice for China POCY Group to transition from "regional outreach" to "global empowerment" and to actively participate in global education governance, demonstrating the responsibility and commitment of a Chinese enterprise to global educational equity and skills development.

Going forward, China POCY Group will strictly implement all consensus reached during this working mission, refine task allocations, strengthen accountability, and accelerate the effective implementation of various cooperative initiatives. Simultaneously, the Group will use this cooperation as a crucial opportunity to collaborate with UNESCO and global partners to explore innovative pathways for the future of education and sustainable development models. By precisely developing skills training programs tailored to future industrial needs, China POCY Group is committed to actively contributing Chinese wisdom and proactively bringing Chinese strength to the building of a fairer, more resilient, and more sustainable global education ecosystem.