The Development Status, Challenges and Future Trends of China's Vocational Education in the Digital Transformation

Vocational education plays a pivotal role in fostering economic growth, social advancement, and individual development in China. Against the backdrop of rapid digital transformation and industrial upgrading, this study examines the current status, challenges, and future trends of Chinas vocational education system. By conducting a systematic literature analysis of peer-reviewed articles from CNKI and Web of Science, government policies, and international reports, this research identifies critical barriers such as outdated educational philosophies, insufficient integration of emerging technologies, and regional disparities in resource allocation. Thematic coding and comparative analysis reveal persistent contradictions between policy rhetoric and implementation, particularly the elitist bias favoring general education over vocational training. Key findings emphasize the necessity of adopting a people-oriented approach, deepening industry-education collaboration, modernizing curricula with AI and IoT, and enhancing teacher competencies through enterprise partnerships. The study concludes that proactive strategies, including policy reinforcement, curriculum innovation, and equitable resource distribution are essential to align vocational education with the demands of digital transformation. Limitations include insufficient exploration of rural vocational schools digital readiness, suggesting future research directions.