HIGHLY skilled workers, craftsmen and model workers now have an institution dedicated to improving their accomplishments.

Courses and lectures about big data, artificial intelligence and management are available at the institute set up yesterday in Shanghai to provide both short-term training and academic degree education for craftsmen and workers in the city.

The institute, jointly established by Shanghai Open University and Shanghai General Trade Union, will also accept workers and creators from all industries. It launched its first training program yesterday with 50 local craftsmen and model workers recommended by the Shanghai General Trade Union.

They attended a lecture on the topic of future development for internet plus and artificial intelligence given by He Jifeng, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and who is also director of East China Normal University’s Software Engineering Institute.

Professors from Fudan, Tongji and other top universities in the city will be invited as lecturers to help the trainees learn the latest trends of industrial and technological development.

Wang Shuqun, a chief technician at China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and a national skill master, said he was excited at the new institute’s program and plans.

“I hope I can write down or tell my experiences and lessons (from my own mistakes) clearly and systematically so that my fellow colleagues will avoid similar mistakes in the future,” Wang said.

The academic degree programs are only open to outstanding skilled workers, such as model workers, winners of the Labor Day Medal and scientific progress awards, as well as those honored by the city’s trade union.

Workers can take the courses at night and on weekends at any branches of the university dedicated to adult education.