The rapid evolution of intelligent manufacturing necessitates a paradigm shift in engineering education, demanding talents who possess both robust theoretical foundations and advanced practical skills. The traditional dichotomy between general and vocational education, however, frequently produces structural mismatches in talent supply. This paper explores an optimized training mode for intelligent manufacturing professionals under the coordination of general and vocational education, anchored by the construction of a high-end digital manufacturing school-enterprise joint laboratory. Drawing upon the empirical practices of Lingnan Normal University, particularly its Industrial Robot Science-Industry-Education Integration Practice Teaching Base and the digital empowerment of experimental teaching management, this study proposes a tripartite model encompassing curriculum integration, platform digitalization, and collaborative governance. By leveraging the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and Mixed Reality, the joint laboratory transcends conventional boundaries and enables the seamless integration of theoretical instruction, virtual simulation, and industrial application. The discussion elaborates on how this coordinated model enhances students’ practical competencies, operationalizes the 1+X certificate system, and fosters a double-qualified teaching faculty. Empirical outcomes, including substantial gains in resource utilization, student innovation awards, and regional technology transfer, indicate that the synergy of general-vocational coordination and digital empowerment provides a scalable and replicable blueprint for modern engineering education reform.

Xuejun Tian, Jian Teng. Innovative Talent Cultivation in Intelligent Manufacturing: Integrating General-Vocational Coordination and High-End Digital Joint Laboratories. Frontiers in Educational Research (2026), Vol. 9, Issue 6: 79-88. https://doi.org/10.25236/FER.2026.090611.

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