Awareness, Perception and Preparation of TVET Students, Teachers and Managers for Industry 4.0 in Myanmar

ABSTRACT. Today, every industry is calling for their workforce to develop new skill sets due to the dynamic of technological change. Every country needs to prepare its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector for providing the required skills in the new industrial revolution (IR4.0). It is vitally important to assess TVET academics’ awareness and perceptions of IR4.0 and to ascertain how prepared they are to strategically and effectively manage work-based learning. Which factors have an influence on the situation? A survey based on 16 structured questionnaires was devised to measure the awareness, perception and preparation of 156 respondents, including TVET managers, teachers and students from different TVET institutions in Myanmar. Gender, major study, nature of employment and type of school were considered as influencing factors. Results were presented quantitatively for discussion and confirmed that gender, major study, nature of job and school influenced the awareness, perception and preparation of TVET academics. Strategic plans and reforms can be effectively introduced for future skills development in work- based learning scenarios which are relevant to major study, job nature and school nature.