In the article, the author gives an overview of the industrial revolutions (ir), the challenges and opportunities that these revolutions brought to the workforce. Especially the fourth industrial revolution (ir ) and its impact on the vocational education and training system (vet system) are highlighted. From there, the vet’s development directionsof vet sector forthe ways of thinking, building a vision, objectives, training content, curriculum design and delive. | RESEARCH, EXCHANGE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR VET-SECTOR IN THE 4THINDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION ERA PHAN CHINH THUC * thucphanchinh@ Abstract: In the article, the author gives an overview of the industrial revolutions (IR), the challenges and opportunities that these revolutions brought to the the fourth industrial revolution (IR ) and its impact on the vocational education and training system (VET-system) are highlighted. From there, the VET’s development directionsof VET sector forthe ways of thinking, building a vision, objectives, training content, curriculum design and delivery, training methodology, etc. are figured out to adapt the VET-system to the future contextual changes. Keywords: Challenges, opportunities, fourth industrial revolution (), vocational education and training (VET). Introduction The fourth industrial revolution () started at the the turn of the 20th century as an indispensable development requires all countries to prepare in advance for a creative human resources to enhance their competitiveness in a borderless working environment. Therefore, new approaches for VET sector needs to be investigated, in order to adapt to requirements of the IR . 1. The industrial revolutions According to Forbes, the mankind has encountered four industrial revolutions (see figure 1). Figure 1: Industrial Revolutions (Source: Forbes) - The 1st industrial revolution, characterizedby mechanization, wind, water and steam power lasted from 1760 to 1840. The construction of railroads and invention of the steam engine had opened a new chapter in the world’s history, the era of mechanical industrial production. - The 2nd industrial revolution, with its focus on mass production, assembly linesand the use of electricity, began at the end of the 19th * Phan Chinh Thuc - Senior TVET expert NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING Volume 51 - . 13 RESEARCH, EXCHANGE century
