Comparative Frameworks of TVET Systems: Contexts, Challenges, and Insights

This roundtable (or panel) discussion at the WERA 2025 in Brazil aims to explore comparative frameworks for TVET systems, considering ?urrent socioeconomic and technological challenges. TVET has an extremely diverse landscape reflecting the distinctive features of labour markets as well as the institutional frameworks of public-private partnerships (PPPs). The key question we seek to address is: how can TVET systems be effectively compared, and what insights can be gained from country-specific examples? By bringing together researchers from different regions, the discussion will focus on methodologies for comparing TVET systems and case studies from diverse national contexts. The methodological framework of case studies will include the following pillars of a TVET system: national skill formation regime; types of organizations, degrees, and programs; model of vocational training; model of public-private partnership in TVET; demographics of the vocational student body; typical career paths of TVET graduates, etc. The discussion will culminate in an analysis of the key challenges associated with cross-country comparisons of TVET and an exploration of future directions for advancing comparative TVET research. A key highlight of the panel will be a presentation by Professor Pilz, who will outline the theoretical and methodological foundations of his comparative multi-perspective framework that synthesizes skill formation, stratification, and standardization approaches (Pilz, 2016). His presentation will set the stage for further discussions, providing participants with a structured lens through which to analyze TVET systems internationally. His framework categorizes TVET systems based on the extent of state influence, industry involvement, and educational standardization (Pilz, 2016). It also introduces the role of informal learning environments and industry-driven models, which are crucial in understanding TVET's adaptability to changing labor markets. Building on this foundation, the symposium will engage in a broader discussion of national contexts and their unique frameworks for TVET. To facilitate this, Professor Santosh Mehrotra will provide an in-depth analysis of TVET development in India. Mehrotra's research (2014; 2025 forthcoming) highlights the complexities of skill formation in India, particularly in the context of rapid economic growth and structural transformation. Mehrotra will discuss the five pillars of India's skill development framework, which include vocational education in schools and higher education institutions, private training providers under the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), public and private Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), skill development schemes led by multiple ministries, and in-plant training by companies. A particular emphasis will be placed on the role of private sector engagement, where major enterprises have been instrumental in upgrading ITIs and aligning curricula with industry needs. Expanding the comparative lens, the panel will also feature Professor Li Jun, who will present recent research on the development of TVET in China (2024; 2025 forthcoming). Professor Li Jun's work examines the evolving governance structures and policy initiatives shaping China's TVET landscape, particularly in response to the country's industrial transformation and digital economy. His presentation will highlight the significant role of regional and national strategies in modernizing vocational education and fostering stronger industry-education links. A key focus will be on the decentralized model of TVET in China, where provincial governments and enterprises play a substantial role in shaping training programs to meet local labor market demands. Professor Li Jun will provide insights into how China's dual-system approach, influenced by international (mostly the German one) best practices, has facilitated stronger collaborations between vocational schools and enterprises. To provide a comprehensive overview, the panel will also include a presentation by Professor Vera Maltseva; she will examine the evolution and transformation of TVET in Russia. Professor Maltseva's (2022, 2023, 2025 forthcoming) research focuses on how Russia's vocational education system has adapted to demographic shifts, economic restructuring, and policy reforms. Her presentation will highlight key state-driven initiatives aimed at modernizing TVET institutions, improving labor market alignment, and fostering industry partnerships. A core theme of Professor Maltseva's analysis will be the shift to a hybrid vocational education system incorporating public-private collaboration. Additionally, the role of Russian universities in providing pathways for TVET graduates to pursue higher education will be discussed, shedding light on how TVET is increasingly seen as a viable alternative to traditional academic routes. By addressing these issues, the proposed event will provide a structured yet diverse discussion on the comparative study of TVET systems. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of methodological approaches, contextual influences, and practical applications of comparative research in TVET, ultimately fostering an enriched global dialogue on the development and improvement of vocational education policies and practices. Chair: Geovana Mendonça Lunardi Mendes, Professor, State University of Santa Catarina (UDESC) Participants (preliminary): Vera Maltseva, Director of the Center for Skills Development and Vocational Education at the Institute of Education, HSE University (Russia) Matthias Pilz, Chair of Business Education and International VET Research, University of Cologne (Germany) Jun Li, Associate Professor, Institute of Vocational Education, Tongji University (China) Santosh Mehrotra, Visiting Professor at Bath University (UK) Discussants (preliminary): Evgenii Terentev — Director, Institute of Education, HSE University (Russia) Volker Wedekind - Head of School (Professor of Education), Faculty of Social Sciences at Nottingham University (UK) Maksim Nikitin, Research Assistant, Centre for Skills Development and Vocational Education at the Institute of Education, HSE University (Russia) Stephanie Allais, Research Chair of Skills Development and Professor of Education at the Centre for Researching Education and Labour at Wits University (South Africa) References Pilz, M. (2016). Typologies in Comparative Vocational Education: Existing Models and a New Approach. Vocations and Learning, 9(3), 295–314. Li, J., & Huang, M. (2024). International comparative analysis of the industry-education relationship in vocational education and training: From the perspective of economic sociology. Vocation, Technology & Education, 1(3). Maltseva, V., Nikitin, M., Mehrotra, S., & Li, J. (2025 forthcoming). Private-Public Partnership in TVET: overview of current practices in the BRICS countries. Educational Studies Moscow Mehrotra, S. (2014). India's Skills Challenge: Reforming Vocational Education and Training to Harness the Demographic Dividend. Oxford Academic Mehrotra, S. (2025 forthcoming). India out of Work. Bloomsbury Press, London.