Germany is advancing in Industry 4.0, providing insights that could inform South Africa’s development. Global technological advances require developing countries like South Africa to increase their competitive advantage in order to keep up with international competitors. As Industry 4.0 becomes increasingly important, preparing the workforce for these new challenges is essential. The aim of this study was to compare the educational and industrial structures of South Africa with the German systems, identify differences and propose solutions to address South Africa's skills gap relevant to Industry 4.0. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted using the Scopus database to investigate the state of vocational education and training and Industry 4.0 in both countries. The study focused on assessing training structures, resources and the adequacy of skills development in the context of Industry 4.0. The research found that, in contrast to the well-structured and practice-oriented system in Germany, South Africa faces significant challenges, including inadequate training opportunities, poor infrastructure and limited resources. A clear skills gap was identified, particularly with regard to Industry 4.0. Learning factories were mentioned as a potential solution to improve vocational education by addressing the identified skills gaps. Improving vocational education in South Africa offers the opportunity to drive economic growth and technological development and position the country to better compete globally. The use of learning factories could be an important step in closing the skills gap in Industry 4.0 and ensuring that the workforce is prepared for future requirements.