Bridging the Skills Gap Through Tvet Public-private Partnerships: a Conceptual Framework for Industry–academia Collaboration
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study addresses the critical skills gap between Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems and industry needs by proposing a conceptual framework for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in TVET. Despite TVET's potential to enhance employability, many systems—particularly in developing economies—struggle with outdated curricula, inadequate infrastructure, and weak industry linkages. Through a mixed-methods approach combining literature review, case studies (e.g., Malaysia’s Penang Skills Development Centre and Bangladesh’s SEIP program), and stakeholder interviews, the study identifies key mechanisms for effective industry–academia collaboration: joint curriculum design, shared infrastructure, faculty exchanges, and standardized apprenticeships. Findings reveal that institutionalized PPPs significantly improve graduate employability (e.g., SEIP’s 70% placement rate) but face challenges like cultural mismatches and funding asymmetries. The proposed framework integrates governance, resource-sharing, and monitoring components to align TVET with labor market demands. Recommendations include policy incentives for private-sector engagement, phased pilot testing, and robust M&E systems. This research contributes a scalable model for bridging the skills gap while emphasizing contextual adaptation for low- and middle-income settings.
Authors: Sanusi Lawal, Sani Isah
Institution: Federal University Gusau
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4415933506