Off target: China’s vocational education and training system threatens the country’s rise to industrial superpower status

Vocational training is the Achilles' heel of the restructuring of the Chinese economic model. Without an adequate number of skilled workers this process is doomed to fail. The related risk of a massive slump in China would have far-reaching consequences not only for Germany, but also for the entire global economy. The Chinese government has recognised the problem and wants to counter the skills shortage with a significant strengthening of vocational training.

Elena Lichtenthaler and Matthias Stepan argue that China’s education system does not promote the abilities that are needed for an innovation-driven economic system. Particularly, standard setting and quality management in vocational training remain problematic.