Industrial Clusters and Vocational Education: Evidence From China

ABSTRACT Despite the widely acknowledged importance of vocational education in fostering social mobility and economic development, research on the impact of industrial clusters on vocational education remains sparse. This study aims to address this gap by examining the influence of industrial clusters on vocational education and the moderating role of the external environment. By collecting 965,123 firm samples, and by applying the fixed effect model and instrumental variable method, we find that industrial clusters positively influence vocational education. This study offers valuable insights for policymakers and educational practitioners, highlighting the importance of aligning vocational education with the dynamics of industrial clusters to enhance regional innovation and economic competitiveness.