Vocational education is taking center stage at the 2024 World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference in Tianjin Municipality, emphasizing its critical role in today’s economy. Education experts and students voiced their support during interviews with CGTN, underscoring the shortage of skilled workers and the enduring biases against vocational pathways.
James Llewellyn, director of Worldwide Operations at NPTC Group of Colleges from the UK, stated, \"Technical, vocational education provides opportunities to everyone.\" His remarks echoed the sentiments of many participants who acknowledged the need to elevate vocational education's status to align with economic demands.
The conference highlighted that vocational education delivers practical and hands-on skills, offering substantial economic benefits both for individuals and the broader economy. A 2022 joint study by the World Bank, the International Labor Organization, and UNESCO further supported this view, indicating that robust technical and vocational education systems are essential for smooth job transitions amid rapidly changing labor markets influenced by globalization, technological advancements, demographic shifts, and climate change.
Despite its benefits, participants noted that societal biases still place vocational education below traditional academic routes. Addressing these perceptions is crucial for fostering a skilled workforce equipped to meet the challenges of the modern economy.
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Experts, students emphasize importance of vocational education
cgtn.com
