Vocation, Technology & Education

The digital transformation of vocational education: Experience and reflections of Shenzhen Polytechnic University

2024-01-10T10:20:49+08:00

Promoting digital transformation is a vital change to achieve the high-quality development of vocational education and help build China into a leading country in education. Shenzhen Polytechnic University (SZPU) promotes digital transformation from the perspectives of critical layout, operational order, and infrastructure development. SZPU emphasizes the leading role of “humans” in digital transformation by strengthening the digital empowerment of administrators, teachers, and students and highlights the central position of digital teaching transformation from aspects such as teaching concepts and models, curricula and resources, teaching methods and means, and teaching management and evaluation. Engaged in the research and development (R & D) of digital technology, digital technology applications, and digital social services, SZPU is devoted to mutual facilitation between R & D services and digital transformation. Building platforms, promoting the “going global” of vocational education, and creating digital practical teaching brands make international exchanges and cooperation an essential extension of the digital transformation of vocational education. The digital transformation of vocational education is a “progressive transformation” from educational empowerment to educational reconstruction, a “creative transformation” from focusing on technology to highlighting thinking, a “human-oriented transformation” from emphasizing design to highlighting experience, a “participatory transformation” from technological application to technological R & D, and a “collaborative transformation” from focusing on a single perspective to benefiting the whole. Digital transformation is a fundamental process to achieve digital governance of vocational education, deepen education and teaching reforms, and modernize vocational education in the era of the digital economy, with important implications for improving the quality of education and teaching and promoting economic and social development.

Leveraging multistakeholder partnerships in technical, vocational education, and training

2024-03-11T10:37:57+08:00

The present study examines the argument of placing greater emphasis on partnerships between stakeholders and vocational training. The current challenges of unemployment are too dire to be left to one stakeholder or country to resolve, and therefore, multistakeholder partnerships become necessary to tackle these multifaceted problems of practice across borders. The present study is necessary because there is need to illuminate the issues about partnerships for promoting innovation, industrial and infrastructural development through global and multistakeholder partnerships in technical and vocational education training. Evidence gathered from this assessment will inform the improvement of existing on-the-job training, enable institutions to scale-up successful models of partnerships and foster the development of vocational practices that are more adaptable to work ethic and the dynamic world of work.

Training strategies of Chinese and British multinational companies in Germany

2024-01-16T11:07:35+08:00

In the academic literature, the training strategies of the foreign branches of multinational companies have hardly been considered so far. Consequently, it is unclear how these subsidiaries meet their demand for skilled workers. Since the training cultures in the respective countries of origin are often different from those in the host country, research into this topic is of interest. This article is therefore dedicated to the question of how foreign companies from China and Great Britain behave when they come to Germany with the dual training system that dominates here. Based on 11 qualitative interviews, the training and recruitment strategies of these companies are analyzed as well as the effect of the influences on the adaptation to the German environment.

Transformations in higher vocational education in Japan

2024-02-08T17:10:26+08:00

This study examines the evolving landscape of vocational education in Japan, driven by transformative policies, strategic initiatives, and substantial reforms. The transition of vocational education to higher education, particularly through the establishment of professional and vocational universities, is explored. Emphasizing the impact on tertiary-level vocational education, the research investigates collaborative approaches, government initiatives, continuous improvement strategies, and the evolving role of educators. Demographic shifts and societal needs are considered within the context of challenges and opportunities. The establishment of professional and vocational universities is analyzed in alignment with international trends, revealing its pivotal role in the global discourse on practical education within higher education. The study identifies challenges such as program governance, lack of articulation pathways, and societal expectations, while highlighting opportunities for reform. Implications for research, policy, and institutional practice are discussed, urging sustained scholarly attention, flexible accreditation frameworks, and international benchmarking to foster a dynamic and responsive higher education system.

Effective skills supply and grand vocational education: Interdisciplinary thinking on China's vocational education

2024-02-22T10:59:10+08:00

Vocational education, the product of specialized division of labor in modern society, seeks to address the challenges of modern life by offering vocational culture and technical education. There are two opposite theoretical judgments on the function of vocational education. One argues that it is merely a means to produce diplomas for occupational monopoly, lacking efficacy in skill formation. Conversely, the other views it as a crucial carrier of effective skills supply and a significant comparative advantage in shaping national competitiveness. In China, the ongoing tension between the supply of diplomas and that of effective skills has long influenced the evolution of the vocational education system. It is urgent for China to revive Yanpei Huang's Grand Vocational Education (GVE) to achieve high-quality development of vocational education. Although there is still a long journey ahead, we have a promising future ahead in building a skill-based society where "the state values skills, society promotes skills, and individuals possess skills", as it underscores the significance of GVE.

Development Aid 2.0: Technology transfer and skill formation

2024-02-21T22:54:03+08:00

This paper explains the growing importance of knowledge-based societies in driving industrial progress. It highlights the crucial need for technological and skill advancement, particularly among the expanding young populations in developing countries who lack essential work skills. This study scrutinizes the traditional Development Aid (DA) 1.0 model, which focuses mainly on financial aid and infrastructure projects but overlooks the importance of developing a skilled workforce that meets industry needs. Introducing the concept of DA 2.0 through the lens of the Triple Helix Theory, this paper suggests a sustainable approach that integrates government, academia, and industry to promote technology transfer and skill development. Through the policy analysis and case studies, it demonstrates how China leverages its technological expertise and skill advantage to enhance DA in African countries. The study concludes by advocating for DA 2.0 approach that is a government-supported, industry-driven approach to workforce development. By fostering collaboration among these sectors, China and Africa could optimize the impact of DA initiatives in addressing local challenges.

Theoretical and practical exploration of work-based learning curriculum with a case study

2024-01-17T22:53:00+08:00

This contribution reviews the development of vocational education and training (VET) curriculum development in the last two decades in China, which is categorised into three models: curriculum with theory and practice in parallel (TPP), curriculum with theory in the service of practice (TSP), and integrated curriculum between theory and practice (ITP). It describes briefly also a VET curriculum reform project that adopts a design-based research approach. The main objective of this project is to explore curriculum models that can more effectively promote the development of learners’ holistic professional competences. Result shows that the new work-based curriculum, especially ITP, plays a positive role in promoting the professional action competence of students. The new curriculum also has been welcomed by employers. Difficulties in implementation of new curriculum are teaching capability and work experience defect of teachers, and the lack of self-directed learning competence of some students. The key problem to be solved in the future is how to effectively identify the courses and learning contents through effective qualification research.

Historical developments and current situation of technical and vocational education in Pakistan

2024-02-28T16:13:23+08:00

Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is essential worldwide due to its prominent role in preparing the skilled workforce to participate in economic development. This article reports on the TVET situation in Pakistan. First, it reports the historical developments of TVET in Pakistan. TVET has been given priority in policy documents since the independence of Pakistan, but real practical work has been done in the last two decades. National and provincial governments have formulated many new policies to improve TVET and created new governing authorities to regulate it. This results in increased TVET institutions and enrollments. However, this article also identified the significant challenges to TVET in Pakistan. Governance and infrastructure problems, gender inequality, and quality of teaching and learning are three critical challenges to developing TVET. National and provincial governments should partner with local industry and international organizations to build a better framework for TVET in Pakistan.

Reshaping technical and vocational education and training schools and institutions through digital transformation for sustainable development

2024-02-28T14:34:47+08:00

Navigating the intersection of Vocation, Technology & Education: Insights from an international perspective

2024-01-10T10:28:45+08:00