The Excellent Teacher Program

In response to national education reform initiatives and to align with the “Double-Qualified Teachers” framework, China POCY Group launched the China Craftsman Valley The Excellent Teacher Program — a pioneering initiative for large-scale international teacher development. We use our own and external resources to develop personalized training programs to help teachers improve their teaching abilities, align with international education concepts, and truly achieve systematization, specialization, and internationalization of teacher team building.

A delegation from China Craftsman Valley, led by President Yao Yichun, visited several UK universities including the University of Salford, University of Warwick, and University of Liverpool, to explore diversified paths for international cooperation in vocational education. During the visit, Executive President Mr. Yang Zhilin signed a formal partnership agreement with Professor Margaret Rowe, Vice President of the University of Salford, marking a new chapter in bilateral cooperation.

On January 15, 2024, the second cohort of the China Craftsman Valley Excellent Teachers Program officially commenced its training at Brest Business School in France. A total of 52 core faculty members from Caofeidian College of Technology and Tangshan Maritime Institute participated in the program. Over the course of 18 days, the participating educators gained in-depth insights into France’s elite education model and Germany’s dual vocational education system. From the romance of France to the precision of Germany, and from culture and art to landscapes and cuisine, the teachers experienced the unique educational, cultural, and technological charms of both countries.

On January 31, 2025, the third cohort of the Excellent Teachers Program—a study tour to the United Kingdom and Germany—officially began. On February 2 (the fifth day of the Chinese Lunar New Year), more than 40 core faculty members from Caofeidian College of Technology, Tangshan Maritime Institute, and Tangshan Experimental Secondary Vocational School, dressed in traditional Chinese attire and accompanied by school mascots, participated in the Chinese New Year celebrations at Trafalgar Square in London. Together, they celebrated the successful inscription of the Spring Festival into the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list and joined the global Chinese community in honoring this cherished tradition. During the 20-day program, the teachers engaged in intensive training and academic exchange at the University of Salford in the UK and the Eckert Education Group (Eckert Schools) in Germany. This immersive experience expanded their global perspectives, deepened their understanding of advanced international educational philosophies, and fostered mutual learning and exchange in vocational education between China and both the UK and Germany.

As successive cohorts of teachers return from overseas training, the Excellent Teachers Program continues to embody the principle of lifelong learning. It broadens professional development pathways, builds bridges for cross-cultural educational exchange, cultivates high-quality teaching teams, and enhances the overall quality of vocational education. These efforts contribute meaningfully to the development of a learning-oriented society.
The Excellent Teachers Program is a flagship training initiative of China POCY Group. It aims to develop a high-caliber, professional, and innovative corps of teacher-trainers. By "going out" to bring best practices "back in," the program supports the “Belt and Road” Initiative and aligns with trends in global education. Institutions under the China Craftsman Valley initiative proactively engage in international collaboration in vocational education, promoting joint construction, mutual learning, and shared benefits. Through advancing integration between industry and education and expanding vocational education internationally, the program supports the creation of a globally recognized Chinese brand in vocational education and contributes to a new chapter in its international development.