Evaluation of Indonesian Technical and Vocational Education in Addressing the Gap in Job Skills Required by Industry

Abstract

The demand for labor change in the industrial revolution 4.0 era has become a fundamental challenge for Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to quickly and efficiently meet the needs of changing economic skills and especially in the field of electrical engineering. Indonesian Central Bureau of Statistics released data on unemployment rates in Indonesia is still relatively high and dominated by vocational education graduates. It is ironic considering that vocational education is designed to prepare graduates who are ready to work. It is allegedly due to the lack of links and matches between TVET and the world of work and industry. This article will comprehensively evaluate the relationship and compatibility between TVET and the world of work in the field of electrical engineering. The research uses a qualitative approach based on observation, interviews, and discussion with practitioners of TVET in electrical industries. The findings of this study indicate a substantial mismatch between TVET and the needs of the business and industrial world, especially in the electrical engineering field. Most TVET Institutions in Indonesia have limitations in terms of quality human resources, facilities, and infrastructure that meets standards, lack of cooperation with industry, curricula that are in line with work needs, and weak in modern work culture on campus. Based on data analysis and findings, recommendations for a framework to strengthen relations between TVET providers and the manufacturing sector have been proposing for use by education planners in building or improving existing TVET.