Paper short abstract:

A mixed-method inquiry to explore the connection between Technical and Vocational Education and international migration for work. The study highlights opportunities and challenges faced by the workforce migrating from developing countries in search of better economic and social prospects

Paper long abstract:

Technical and vocational education and training is a critical tool that equips and empowers the workforce to engage actively in economic activities. Existing literature provides evidence that countries which invest in human capital attain economic growth and development. Further, accelerating globalization and technological advancements have opened new avenues and opportunities across borders for work. Therefore, it is absolutely critical for the workforce to constantly learn, relearn, upskill and upgrade their knowledge base and skill-set to stay relevant. In the backdrop, this study employs a mixed method research design to explore the impact of technical and vocational education on international migration for work. To this extent, first a quantitative cross-country panel data analysis comprised of 86 developing countries for the time period 1990 - 2019 is conducted which confirms that technical and vocational education significant factor in international migration. Secondly, qualitative analysis in Pakistan's context is conducted to further explore the effectiveness of vocational education in facilitating employment overseas. Our findings suggest that structural reforms for the vocational sector are needed as it was identified that global job market irrelevance with respect to curricula, equipment and technique along with lack of professional credibility and varying standards and expectations of certifications across borders acts as hindrance for the workforce to integrate in the global job market. These challenges may eventually force the migrants to take up work for which they may be either over qualified or under paid thus undermining international development.