Is vocational education finally gaining prestige?

职业教育终于开始赢得尊重了吗?

Round Table China

2025-07-22

28 分钟
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In China, vocational education has long been seen as a second-choice path, overshadowed by the prestige of university degrees. But times are changing. Some top students are now skipping university for technical training—once unthinkable. As policies shift, job prospects and perceptions evolve, the value of skilled work is being redefined. Could this be the start of an era where ability outweighs credentials? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun
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  • Discussion keeps the world turning.

  • This is Roundtable.

  • Vocational education in China has long been dismissed as the second tier path,

  • overshadowed by the prestige of university degrees.

  • But now the ties are turning.

  • High achieving students are walking away from university offers to pursue technical diplomas.

  • Policies are shifting.

  • Perceptions are changing, and the value of skilled work is being redefined.

  • Is this the dawn of a new era where practical ability outranks paper credentials?

  • Coming to you live from Beijing, this is Roundtable.

  • I'm He Yang.

  • For today's program, I'm joined by Steve Hatherly and Yu Xun in the studio.

  • First, on today's show.

  • For way too long, vocational education in China has not been the first choice for many students.

  • But that may be changing.

  • From the central government to local schools,

  • a wave of policies and initiatives is aiming to elevate the status of vocational education,

  • focusing on quality, industry integration, and global competitiveness.

  • And students are starting to take notice.

  • They're weighing job prospects,