Revisiting the Graduate Capital Scale: A Cross-Cultural Examination for China's Undergraduate Vocational Graduates' Employability

This study examines the employability of undergraduate vocational graduates in China through the lens of Tomlinson’s Graduate Capital Model (2017). Amidst shifting economic conditions and rising youth employment challenges, higher vocational education has gained prominence as a potential means to facilitate the education-to-work transition. This research adapts and validates the Graduate Capital Scale for China’s undergraduate vocational education, employing a content validation process with expert panels. Findings indicate the necessity of contextual adjustments to employability frameworks, reinforcing the model’s applicability beyond Western contexts. The validated instrument provides a foundation for self-assessment and career development among vocational graduates. By integrating cultural and economic specificities, this study offers insights into employability measures in diverse educational settings, informing policy and institutional strategies to enhance graduates’ labour market readiness.