This book offers a rigorous analysis of the evolving global landscape of vocational education, based on a comparative study of vocational education reforms conducted by CNAES. The book identifies eight major trends shaping vocational education worldwide:

Public good orientation: vocational education is increasingly embodying public good attributes
Holistic skills development: shifting from one-dimensional skills to comprehensive  development
Diversified collaboration: emphasizing multi-actor collaboration and diversified provision
Digital transformation: promoting overall transformation with industrial digitalization
Ubiquitous lifelong learning: supporting lifelong skills renewal
Dual-qualified teaching staff: enhancing teacher competency through industry–education integration
Systematized legal framework: establishing multi-dimensional legal safeguard system
International alignment: advancing cooperation mechanisms and standard systems

It reports findings from a systematic analysis of nearly 9,000 academic papers, international reports, and policy documents covering 145 countries and regions, complemented by insights from over 300 global experts. It delivers evidence-based insights to facilitate international dialogue and global collaboration on vocational education. For policymakers, educators and researchers, the book provides a solid framework for promoting the high-quality development of vocational education globally, helping build  a sustainable, inclusive and prosperous global community with a shared future.

The China National Academy of Educational Sciences (CNAES) is a national-level comprehensive education research institution under the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China. It traces its origins to the Education Research Division of the Central Research Academy, established in 1941, and was formally founded in 1957. Comprising 20 specialized research institutes, CNAES strives to become an innovation hub for educational studies, a key contributor to national education policymaking, and a leading platform for international academic exchange and cooperation. Through its high-impact research and thought leadership, the Academy actively informs education policy and practice, establishing itself as a prominent educational think tank with national and global influence.