ENHANCING APPRENTICESHIP EFFECTIVENESS VIA LEARNING ECOLOGY: STRATEGIC OPTIMIZATION IN CHINESE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION SYSTEMS

Abstract

This study investigates the critical factors that influence the effectiveness of modern apprenticeships in Chinese vocational education through the lens of learning ecology. Employing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, the research integrates quantitative data from 438 apprentices with qualitative insights from 48 stakeholder interviews. The findings reveal a hierarchical structure of ecological influence, identifying perceived industry recognition and attitudes toward the dual-mentor system as the most significant predictors of apprenticeship success. Notably, the analysis uncovers a persistent theory-practice gap, fundamentally driven by fragmented institutional collaboration and misaligned curriculum designs. To address these systemic imbalances, this research proposes a comprehensive four-pillar strategic framework. This targeted framework advocates institutionalizing dual-mentor collaborations, establishing dynamic school-enterprise curriculum co-design mechanisms, developing regional skill standards to enhance market credibility, and launching a digital ecosystem platform for transparent resource sharing. Ultimately, this robust study effectively transitions learning ecology from a merely descriptive framework into a highly prescriptive managerial tool, offering vital, evidence-based strategies for institutional administrators to systematically optimize vocational training ecosystems and successfully foster sustainable workforce development across rapidly industrializing Asian economies.