Secondary Vocational Education in China: Influences on Participants Agency and Educational Decision-Making in Careers and Life Choices

This thesis examined participants' decision-making experiences toward secondary vocational education in the Chinese context, focusing on participants engaging in teacher training in pre-school and primary years and how they have addressed VE career decisions after Year 9. A historical investigation of policies mapped the trend and influences on learners’ experiences across three reform phases (from the late 1970s to 2022). The changing policies and social contexts in China and participants’ views on VE choices and experiences from personal and professional lives were examined. The recommendations draw attention to VE in China relating to the impact of reforms on individuals’ experiences.