Research On Vocational Education Social Partnership

Although the vocational education in China has made considerable development since the reform and opening policy, a number of problems and challenges still exist in the field of vocational education, among which the relationship between vocational education and training organizations, governments, corporations and the society attracts more concerns because it directly influences the development of vocational education. The dissertation attempts to analyze such a relationship from the perspective of vocational education social partnership and to offer theory evidence and practical experiences for the development of vocational education in China through a study on the mechanism of successful social partnerships of vocational education in China and abroad.The dissertation starts from the basic theories of vocational education social partnership. It reflects on and reexamines the development of Chinese vocational education and existing problems through an in-depth discussion on the connotation, features, roles and affecting factors of the vocational education social partnership, a penetrating exploration of the mechanism of vocational education social partnership, and a comparative study on foreign experiences of vocational education social partnership.In brief, the dissertation proposes the following views and conclusions:Firstly, starting from a description of the connotations of the vocational education social partnership, the dissertation identifies its features, values and roles and analyses its types, affecting factors and establishing process. This lays the foundation for follow-up studies. With "cooperation and reciprocity" as the premise for vocational education social partnership, governments, vocational education and training organizations, industries/corporations, and intermediary organizations share a common goal of promoting the corporate and regional economic development through joint efforts in improving the quality of vocational educationSecondly, based on an analysis of the interest mechanism, communication mechanism and policy mechanism of vocational education social partnership, the dissertation draws the conclusion that interest is the internal drive for the vocational education social partnership as it is essential to the operation and development of the partnership. Communication mechanism provides the platform where members in the vocational education social partnership communicate on the basis of mutual reliance. It is a communication for resources interaction, mutual benefits and mutual services. Policy mechanism is the driving force for the development of vocational education social partnership as it reflects the distribution and coordination of interests.Thirdly, the dissertation has selected Australia and The Republic of Lithuania to study foreign experiences and explored the background, types, development principles, roles, members of their vocational education social partnerships and changes in their vocational education systems. There are similarities and differences between the two countries. Both vocational education systems in two countries have experiences in imitating models of other countries. Both national governments have played an active role in framing relevant policies and increasing capital investments. Industries/corporations and social intermediary organization in both countries participate actively in vocational education. However, due to distinctive evolutions of vocational education systems in the two countries, differences can be observed in the types of vocational education social partnerships, governmental funding methods, intensity levels of competition between members and functions of social intermediary organizations.Fourthly, the dissertation analyzes the application of "cooperative development" in different historical stages throughout the development of vocational education. Through a description of challenges and problems faced by Chinese vocational education, the dissertation presents the predicament for the social partnership of vocational education in China. A development strategy for vocational education is proposed, which encourages a harmonious co-existence with mutual benefits for all parties. The development should be planned and coordinated as a whole with increased investments and governmental supports. Communications should be improved and the role of serving the society should be strengthened.