Technological Transfer and Vocational Education: The Role of the China-Laos Railway in Enhancing Technical Skills in Lao PDR

The China-Laos Railway, a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, represents a pivotal mechanism for technological transfer between China and Laos, significantly influencing vocational education and technical skill development. This study examines how the railway facilitates technological transfer through infrastructure development, knowledge exchange, and the establishment of specialized technical vocational education and training (TVET) programs, notably the Lao Railway Vocational Technical College. Key features of TVET programs include a curriculum designed for railway operations, such as train driving, station services, and electrical maintenance, delivered through combined regional training with Chinese expertise and localized instruction. These initiatives enhance Lao workers’ technical skills by equipping them with industry-specific competencies. These programs address their skill gap in a historically agrarian economy transitioning toward modern infrastructure demands. The China-Laos collaboration offers improved opportunities, including increased employability and regional connectivity, alongside challenges such as dependency on foreign technology and the need for sustainable local capacity building. In the long term, these technological transfers are poised to reshape vocational education in Laos by fostering a skilled workforce capable of supporting industrial growth and integration into regional economies. Through qualitative analyses of policy documents, training frameworks, and stakeholder perspectives, this paper underscores the transformative potential of the China-Laos Railway while highlighting the necessity for adaptive strategies to enhance its developmental impact.