Institutional implementation of Industry 4.0 competencies in TVET programmes in the Indo-Pacific: Critical success factors

Abstract

This article responds to the question: What are the critical success factors that support the implementation of Industry 4.0 competencies in TVET (technical and vocational education and training) programme offerings? The scope of our study was programme offerings targeting STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields at the tertiary level across 15 countries in the Indo-Pacific region. The study evaluated the ‘actions already taken’ to implement Industry 4.0 competencies, and a survey questionnaire was used to collect data. The findings identified staff capacity development, a supportive culture, the availability of resources, and public awareness as critical success factors. In addition, TVET institution type and the annual growth rate of real GDP (gross domestic product) per employed person were found to boost the relationship between these factors. This means that TVET colleges are in a weaker position in implementing Industry 4.0 compared with the other two types of institutions in the study.