A Systematic Literature Review of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Systems: An insight from China and Sub-Saharan Africa

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is important in developing a skilled workforce, promoting sustainable career pathways, and supporting economic growth worldwide. This study provides a systematic comparative analysis of TVET systems in China and Sub-Saharan African countries. The scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement and with the search limited to studies published between 2012 and 2024. The results reveal divergent developmental processes shaped by distinct socio-economic contexts. While China’s TVET demonstrates strong governmental support, strategic industry partnerships, and ongoing curriculum modernization, fostering workforce readiness and contributing to national economic priorities, such as rural revitalization, these advantages are not seen in Sub-Saharan African countries. The region faces challenges related to funding, outdated curricula misaligned with labor market needs, infrastructural deficits, and shortages of qualified instructors, which collectively undermine training quality and employability outcomes. Innovatively, this review integrates multi-dimensionality, pedagogical innovation, infrastructural capacity, and social inclusion, providing a comprehensive framework that further heightens the transformative potential of contextualizing China’s competency-based and industry-integrated TVET approaches within the unique socio-economic realities of Sub-Saharan Africa. . These findings offer a way to compare and guide changes in policies that can improve TVET systems, address current job market needs, support sustainable development, and lower youth unemployment in areas with limited resources.