Vocational School–Enterprise Cooperation in China: A Review of Policy Reforms, 1978–2022

Abstract

Purpose This study conducted a review of policy reforms of school–enterprise cooperation in China's vocational education and its characteristics at different stages. Design/Approach/Methods This study systematically reviewed vocational educational policies on school–enterprise cooperation adopted by the Chinese government since 1978 using textual analysis. Findings The development of school–enterprise cooperation in China's vocational education can be divided into four stages: spontaneous development (Stage 1), central position establishment (Stage 2), systematic design (Stage 3), and institutional construction (Stage 4). After years of practice and exploration, China's school–enterprise cooperation has made impressive achievements, but also has several problems that require further improvement. Originality/Value This study examined over 40 years of history of the development of vocational school–enterprise cooperation in China, providing a useful reference for learning and understanding Chinese vocational education.