Sustainability Competencies in Beauty-Focused Vocational Programs: Pedagogical Strategies and Industry Expectations - A Systematic Literature Review

The integration of sustainability competencies into vocational education programs has become increasingly critical as industries worldwide shift toward environmentally conscious practices. Beauty-focused vocational programs, which encompass sectors such as cosmetology, skincare, and personal care services, face unique challenges in incorporating green education principles while meeting industry expectations for skilled professionals. This systematic literature review examines the current state of sustainability competencies in beauty-focused vocational programs, evaluates pedagogical strategies employed to develop these competencies, and analyzes industry expectations for sustainable practices among graduates. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across academic databases, including Scopus, for articles published between 2020-2025. Keywords included "green education," "sustainable education," "education for sustainable development," combined with "TVET," "vocational education," and "technical and vocational education and training." The initial search yielded 70 articles, which were systematically screened and filtered to 17 articles that met the inclusion criteria. The review identified three key themes: (1) emerging sustainability competencies required in beauty-focused vocational programs, including environmental awareness, sustainable product knowledge, and waste reduction practices; (2) innovative pedagogical strategies such as project-based learning, experiential learning, and industry partnerships; and (3) evolving industry expectations for graduates who can balance aesthetic excellence with environmental responsibility. While progress has been made in integrating sustainability into vocational education, significant gaps remain in beauty-focused programs. The findings suggest a need for more systematic integration of green competencies, enhanced industry-education partnerships, and development of specialized curricula that address the unique sustainability challenges of the beauty industry.