A Zimbabwean student takes part in an internship at Haitian Group in Ningbo. [Photo/Yongpai app]

Thirty-one students from Zimbabwe completed an 18-month vocational training program at Ningbo Polytechnic University on Sept 17, wrapping up a course that combined classroom learning with hands-on experience at Chinese manufacturers.

For many of the students, it was their first time outside Africa. Their training in China included technical courses, factory placements, and skills competitions, as part of a joint program between Ningbo Polytechnic University and Harare Polytechnic.

A student noted that the practical training significantly distinguished this program from his earlier studies. Within just three months of arriving in China, he was hands-on, operating a lathe and crafting components independently. He also earned an award for his skills in programmable logic controller (PLC) programming at a competition.

The program also aims to connect training with jobs back in Zimbabwe. One graduate received a preliminary internship offer from Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co and is expected to work at the company's operations in Zimbabwe after returning home.

Companies including Huayou Cobalt and Haitian Group have participated in the training, helping align courses with the skills needed in manufacturing.

The program has enrolled three groups totaling 90 Zimbabwean students since Ningbo Polytechnic University began working with Harare Polytechnic in 2022.

The two schools and Huayou Cobalt have also signed an agreement to establish a China-Zimbabwe engineering and technology institute in Zimbabwe, extending the training partnership beyond Ningbo.