Readiness of Technical and Vocational Education Institutions and their Industry Partners for Fourth Industrial Revolution: Towards Theory Development

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is transforming industries globally, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions play a crucial role in preparing the workforce for this dynamic landscape. This quantitative study employs a descriptive-comparative research design to assess the readiness of TVET institutions and their industry partners for 4IR in Dipolog, Dapitan, and the 25 municipalities of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. Data were analyzed using percentage, weighted mean, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the demographic profiles of respondents from TVET institutions and industry partners, examining their perceptions of readiness across three dimensions: Process, Infrastructure, and Organization. The findings indicate a moderate level of readiness, highlighting strengths and areas needing improvement, particularly in aligning curricula with 4IR demands. Differences in perceptions based on demographics, specifically sex and position, were also explored, revealing varied perspectives among different groups. To effectively incorporate 4IR technologies, this study introduces M’Lee Theory, the Adaptive Technological Perception Theory (ATPT), grounded in Albert Bandura’s concept of self-efficacy—defined as an individual’s belief in their capability to succeed in specific situations or accomplished a task, which is crucial in the 21st century’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. There is a pressing need for the integration of insights from both social learning theory (Bandura) and the specific technological environment. Integrating Bandura’s self-efficacy into ATPT (M’Lee Theory) provides a comprehensive understanding of how individuals and organizations adapt to technological advancements. This approach underscores the importance of both social and technological factors in preparing for the future workforce and technological innovations of the 4IR era, ensuring a competent and resilient future workforce. Moreover, while the Social Learning Theory implies that individuals’ perceptions of readiness for 4IR would be similar across genders due to shared social influences, the Adaptive Technological Perception Theory (ATPT), M’Lee theory acknowledges that individuals’ perceptions and attitudes are shaped not only by social influences but also by their capacity to adapt to changing environments and technological advancement so with their direct experiences with technology and their roles within technological ecosystems. Therefore, gender differences in technological expertise or exposure may lead to variations in perceptions of readiness for 4IR, beyond the scope of social learning alone. Adaptive Technological Perception Theory (ATPT) suggests that individuals’ adaptability and resilience play a significant role in how they perceive and respond to changes, particularly in the context of technological advancements like the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).