A study on employment quality and reform strategies for vocational graduates in China’s construction sector

Amid China’s industrial transformation, enhancing vocational graduates’ employment quality is critical. This study evaluates 2021–2024 intelligent building management graduates using a mixed-methods approach (surveys, expert interviews, chi-square tests and ordered Logit regression). Results show that employability significantly boosts income, workplace satisfaction and career alignment, while employer ownership affects job location and satisfaction. Curriculum modernization, especially digital integration, enhances workplace satisfaction, highlighting the need for Industry 4.0 alignment. We propose three strategies: (1) modernizing curricula with digital tools and sustainability; (2) expanding industry partnerships for practical training; and (3) precision career counselling to align competencies with market needs. These measures aim to cultivate a workforce capable of meeting the demands of China’s digitizing construction sector, bridging education and labour market gaps to foster graduate success and sustainable industrial development.