The impact of socioeconomic status on self-determined learning motivation: A serial mediation analysis of the influence of Gaokao score on seniority in Chinese higher vocational college students

Abstract

Vocational Education Training (VET)in China is considered the last resort for low academic achievers or economically desperate students who wish to join the job market after a short educational period. In addition, a large volume of evidence has claimed that China's government is putting a blindfold on VET outcomes, which results in incompetent graduates who do not fit in with the current industrial workforce need. Hence, a self-determination theory furnished this study to underpin the effectiveness of the training and derive plans or strategies which foster the training program. Thus, the present study administered a national survey of (N = 5083) to vocational students to examine their self-determined learning motivation by determining the specific times, places, and individuals who need a feasible intervention to engage in VET work and help make the country's industrial production competent at the world market level. Hence, our study findings shed light on vocational students in China who lose their learning motivation over time; those with other alternatives drop out of the program. Those who are desperate continue without an adequate practical skill level, given that they have to get a job to help their poor parents.