Zhang, J., Chen, Z., Wu, Z., & Hora, M. (2020). An Introduction to Technical and Vocational Education in China: Implications for Comparative Research and Practice on Internships. Research Brief #12. Center for Research on College-Workforce Transitions. UW-Madison.
Abstract: Internship plays an important role in students’ career preparation and college-to-workforce transition. Although there are a large body of studies on college student internships, there were relatively fewer on that of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) students. Such a critical topic worth more attention and exploration. This report focuses on TVET system in China considering that China has the largest but under-developed TVET system in the world which prioritizes economic development and social mobility as its main missions. The aim of this report is to systematically introduce the TVET and its internship policies in China. The report presents the unique structure, the history, and development of China’s secondary and higher TVET. Notably, along with a downward trend of the secondary TVET since 2010, there had been an upward trend of the higher TVET since the late 1990s’ in contrast. Overall, issued policies largely influence the direction of Chinese TVET development, especially in regard to regulating internship activities in aspects of internship organization, management, assessment. Implications for research and policymaking for internships in China and the U.S. were discussed. This report provides insights to international scholars who are interested in conducting comparative studies on internship in TVET systems.