The Influence of Positive Growth Experience of Craftsmen on Vocational Education of Automotive Inspection and Maintenance Technology and Mental Health

Abstract

Since 2014, in China, there has been a principle to divert the graduating junior high school students to regular high schools and secondary vocational schools in an orderly manner, with a ratio of 50%. Vocational education serves as an important foundation for cultivating technical and skilled talents, as well as craftsman talents. However, vocational education, as a distinct type of education, has not yet gained widespread recognition in society. And it is a very meaningful thing to explore how their teachers’ positive growth experience influence these students to become successful and feel pleasure. Using a qualitative methodology, we interviewed ten Zhejiang craftsmen specializing in the automotive field, who work as full-time or part-time teachers in technical colleges and vocational schools, to explore the relationship between their growth experiences and the impact of teacher education on the cultivation and development of craftsmen. The study not only focused on their professional development but also delved into the psychological aspects of their journey. By examining the interplay between professional growth, educational impact, and psychological factors, this results provide valuable insights into the holistic development of skilled craftsmen. The findings reveal that the growth characteristics of Zhejiang craftsmen can be categorized into four stages: aspiration, enjoyment, dedication, and innovation. These stages are reflected in various aspects such as career aspirations, professional identity, and collaborative innovation, which are further subdivided into 29 factors. Moreover, the analysis demonstrates how these self-growth experiences can be effectively transferred to the student training process, thereby stimulating students' enthusiasm for learning vehicle inspection, testing, and repairs. The development of vocational education can draw insights from the growth process of Zhejiang craftsmen, with a specific focus on fostering workplace learning, integrating theoretical instruction with practical skill development, and nurturing both technical expertise and personal qualities. And the comprehensive strategy focuses on the areas, such as fostering workplace learning, integrating theoretical instruction with practical skill development, nurturing both technical expertise and personal qualities, promoting psychological health and so on. By implementing these strategies, vocational education institutions can help students grow into healthy, skilled, and psychologically robust professionals.