Theoretical Foundations and Research Context of Civil Engineering Talent Readiness in Overseas Workplaces

Abstract

The Belt and Road Initiative has catalyzed the globalization of Chinese infrastructure enterprises, creating an urgent demand for civil engineering professionals equipped with both technical expertise and cross-cultural adaptability. Higher vocational colleges in China have adopted the Industry Education Integrated Model to bridge the gapbetween academic training and industry needs. However, persistent discrepancies between graduate preparednessand overseas workplace requirements underscore systemic challenges in curriculum design, stakeholder collaboration, and competency assessment. This article expands upon existing research by introducing the School-Enterprise-Employee model, a tripartite framework that evaluates competency alignment across stakeholders. Through a case study of BRI projects in Malaysia, the study highlights the critical role of transnational competency development in vocational education. Empirical data from pilot programs reveal a 15% increase in graduate retention and a 22% reduction in compliance violations, validating the SEE model’s efficacy. The article concludes with actionable policy recommendations to enhance the global readiness of civil engineering graduates.