Vocational education is crucial in today’s economy, where skilled workers are in short supply but biases against it persist, according to education experts and students in Tianjin, China.
“Technical and vocational education provides opportunities to everyone,” said James Llewellyn, director of Worldwide Operations at NPTC Group of Colleges from the UK. Llewellyn and other participants were in Tianjin for the 2024 World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference.
Despite its importance, many acknowledge that vocational education often faces unfair comparisons to traditional academic paths. “Biases that put vocational education below regular education still exist and need to be addressed,” several participants noted.
Vocational education delivers practical, hands-on skills, offering substantial economic benefits to individuals and the broader economy. A 2022 joint study by the World Bank, the International Labor Organization, and UNESCO highlighted the growing need for well-performing technical and vocational education. The study emphasized its role in ensuring smooth job transitions in rapidly changing labor markets affected by globalization, technological progress, demographic shifts, and climate change.
As the global landscape evolves, experts agree that elevating vocational education is essential for empowering youth and meeting the demands of modern economies.
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Experts, students emphasize importance of vocational education
cgtn.com
