Determining the Challenges and Future Opportunities in Vocational Education and Training in the UAE: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract There is a clear knowledge gap in the area of vocational education and training (VET) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) literature. This study aims to review systematically the literature review in VET in the UAE over the last 25 years. This research employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses methodology to determine the appropriate inclusion of studies in the literature review. The results are derived from an analysis of 35 studies conducted between 1999 and 2024, primarily focused on Emiratization and the importance of innovative technology to be incorporated in the VET process. Additionally, this research has identified a set of recurring challenges and future opportunities for VET in the UAE. This research makes a significant contribution to the literature on sustainable development in the UAE by highlighting the crucial role of VET in fostering human capital development and economic growth. Due to the scarcity of studies in the UAE, the findings of this study are constrained. However, this limitation opens up new opportunities for researchers and investigators to delve into and examine the field of VET in the UAE.