Abstract: Based on the current national vocational education reform, "double-high" plan and other related policy, this paper
expounds the uniqueness and importance of vocational education in higher vocational colleges in China, and points out the importance
of enhancing students' vocational ability in the process of vocational education reform. This paper analyzes the employment status of
students in higher vocational colleges and reasons. With reference to relevant important documents and authoritative research results,
this paper defines and elaborates the concept of vocational core competence, and puts forward countermeasures and suggestions for
improving vocational core competence of students from three aspects: students, schools and employers.

Key words: vocational education reform, vocational college students, employment, core professional competencies, promotion