Strategies in Vocational Education for Workforce Readiness in Guangdong

Abstract

To better align vocational higher education (VHE) with its rapidly evolving economy, Guangdong Province has initiated a qualitative comparative case study, leveraging insights from Taiwan region to tackle its VHE challenges. The study identifies key issues, including curriculum-industry misalignment, VHE's low social recognition, and graduates' employment difficulties. It suggests actionable solutions such as curriculum reforms for greater industry relevance, enhanced teacher training, improved career guidance, and fortified industry partnerships. Employing a mixed-method approach that merges literature reviews with case studies, the research offers critical recommendations for policymakers to elevate VHE's quality and competitiveness in Guangdong. Emphasizing the need for a dynamic VHE system attuned to labour market demands, the study provides a blueprint for Guangdong's VHE reforms, aiming to foster economic growth through high-quality skilled workforce.