This study examines the needs and challenges of vocational educators teaching logistics in a rapidly evolving industrial landscape. Driven by technological innovations like automation, smart logistics systems, and data analytics, the logistics sector is undergoing an intense transformation. Thus, vocational education must adapt to ensure that students acquire the practical skills necessary for entry-level positions. Through qualitative interviews with five logistics instructors at vocational colleges in China, this study evaluates current teaching practices, identifies systemic barriers to effective education, and outlines the support structures that educators needed to align learning outcomes with industry demands. The findings indicate that while practical training is crucial, it is hampered by insufficient funding, obsolete equipment, and a disconnect between theory and practice. This study highlights the importance of industry collaboration and curriculum modernization to bridge the theory-practice gap, and offer suggestions for better matching of industry trends with logistics education to ensure that graduates have the abilities to thrive in the fast evolving logistics sector.
Tian et al. (Mon,) studied this question.