Comparison Between Vocational Education in China and Germany

Abstract

The issue of VET (technical and vocational education and training) in China has recently become the subject of considerable attention, yet there remain shortcomings in the manner of its development. This paper examines the distinctions between technical training in China and Germany about the legal framework, social and cultural context, and the structure of the vocational education system. It finds that both countries emphasise the equal status of vocational and general education. Regarding social background, the lack of attention to vocational workers in China’s Confucian culture affects the enrolment in vocational education and the job status of graduates. The German cultural background and the cultural advantages of German industrial culture provide a more favourable social environment for vocational education. In terms of the education system, the Chinese vocational education system is mainly dominated by vocational schools, with enterprises contributing less to vocational education. In Germany, however, vocational education is shared by government departments and enterprises, with school-enterprise cooperation being relatively close. In light of the aforementioned analysis, this paper proposes the suggestions as follows: at the legal level, the vocational education law in China should be further amended to provide more robust protection for the interests of VET apprentices; at the social and cultural level, China should place greater emphasis on the social status of Vocational education. In the matter of the education system, China’s vocational education group should facilitate greater involvement of industry associations and local enterprises in vocational education.