The Xiamen Mechanical Skill Training Center, located in Tibet's Zogang county, aims to benefit local residents who want to master new skills. [Photo/xmnn.com]

Residents in Zogang county in the southeast of Tibet autonomous region, a poverty-stricken area whose development has long been stunted by its drab industrial structure, saw the light of revitalization in their hometown with the teaching of down-to-earth skills. 

Residents can now learn mechanical skills at a local training center, which was completed on May 23 and is the first one-of-its-kind project embodying intellectual support from Zogang's paired-up city of Xiamen in East China's Fujian province. 

Xiamen XGMA Machinery Co, a state-owned enterprise founded in 1951, undertook the mission. It has been taking the lead in China with its talent reserve, technological strength, research and development capabilities, and tangible achievements. 

The center will frequently carry out training sessions, ranging from a half a month to two year courses, to equip locals with mechanical skills that will help them develop their expertise and obtain national qualification certificates. 

The training program was arranged to answer local residents' calls to enhance mechanical skills in the area. It also allows Zogang locals to study in their own neighborhoods and overcome poverty on their own. 

Applicants listen to operation instructions. [Photo/xmnn.com]

The first edition saw the eager participation of over 40 people, including an 18-year-old man, the youngest member, who said that he was unwilling to miss the opportunity and even convinced his parents to let him attend while giving up collecting caterpillar fungus in the mountains – a major income source for many Tibetans. 

"I'm very interested in driving excavators and I want to learn. There are already several construction projects in my neighborhood, and once I have the right skills, I can make money and improve my life," he said. 

Another farmer from a nearby neighborhood was also happy with this kind of help. He was already capable of some basic skills but wanted to improve his competence. 

"I will take advantage of this rare opportunity to begin formal studies and get my own operating permit," he said. 

The training session is an expansion of Xiamen's support from business, industry, cultural exchanges and the intellectual field. Since the cooperative ties were established between the two places in July 2016, the eastern costal city has been gearing up to customize a development pattern for its counterpart in Southwest China.

Students can learn to drive excavators at the center. [Photo/xmnn.com]