China Doesn’t Want Their Youth to Go to University. Here’s Why.

When I graduated from German high school (Gymnasium), I faced a choice: university or vocational training. I chose the latter, joining a local bank (Sparkasse) for a 2.5-year apprenticeship. Though I eventually pursued higher education, those years taught me invaluable lessons that shaped my career—lessons many university graduates miss:

1. Responsibility Unlike theoretical classroom learning, my work had real consequences. My performance affected customers and colleagues, teaching me accountability early.

2. Learning by Doing Many university students later discover their knowledge doesn’t translate to the workplace. My training forced me to adapt theory to practice from day one.

3. Dealing with Pressure After years of meeting targets, handling clients, and answering to supervisors, university felt effortless. Real-world pressure had already toughened me up.

Germany’s vocational system is envied globally—yet today, fewer students use it, opting for universities instead. Ironically, China is now trying to replicate the German model to solve its own education crisis.

The Problem: Degrees Without Jobs

China’s university boom has backfired. Millions graduate yearly, but employers can’t absorb them. The result?

• Underemployed graduates becoming delivery drivers, livestreamers, or even “professional children” (paid by parents to do chores).

• Critical shortages in manufacturing, IT, and healthcare, where skilled workers are desperately needed.

“Low-level manufacturing jobs can be automated, but there’s a severe shortage of skilled blue-collar workers who can write code or operate machine tools.” Dan Wang, China Director, Eurasia Group

The Solution: China’s Vocational Push

To rebalance the workforce, Beijing is:

• Promoting vocational schools over universities, offering 3-year diplomas in high-demand fields (e.g., robotics, nursing, advanced manufacturing).

• Fighting cultural stigma—for decades, Chinese families saw university as the only path to prestige. Now, they’re being told: “Skills pay the bills.”

The Bigger Picture: A Global Trend

China isn’t alone. From Germany to Singapore, economies are prioritizing practical skills over academic credentials as automation disrupts traditional jobs.

The question is: 

What do you think? Should more countries prioritize vocational training? Reply with your thoughts!

Stay curious,

Thomas 

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