ARTIKEL INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON VET BALI
THE IMPO RTANC E O F DEVELO PING SO FTSKILLS IN PREPARING
VO C ATIO NAL HIG H SC HOO L G RADUATES
Wa g ira n
Fa c ulty o f Eng ine e ring , Yo g ya ka rta Sta te Unive rsity
Em a il: wa _g ira n@ ya ho o .c o m
This a rtic le wa s a p a rt o f c o ntrib utio n o f vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l to ma nufa c ture
d e ve lo p me nt. The o b je c tive s o f this stud y a re : (1) kno wing the ma tc h b e twe e n
g ra d ua tio n c o mp e te nc e s g ive n b y Ind ustria l Te c hno lo g y Vo c a tio na l Hig h Sc ho o l
with c o mp e te nc e s ne e d e d b y wo rk b usine ss a nd (2) kno wing effo rt tha t d o ing b y
ind ustry in re so lve d we a kne sse s a nd limita tio n o f vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua tio n
a s ne w e mp lo yme nts.
This stud y wa s use d q ua ntita tive a p p ro a c h with e xp lo ra tive surve y me tho d . The
p o p ula tio n o f the stud y is vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l o f ind ustria l g ro up s in Ind o ne sia .
Sa mp le wa s d e te rmine d with multi sta g e c luste r ra nd o m sa mp ling . Da ta o f stud y
c o lle c te d use q ue stio nna ire , d o c ume nta tio n a nd inte rvie w. Da ta a na lysis use d
g ro wth a c c o unting mo d e l me tho d a nd d e sc rip tive q ua ntita tive a na lysis.
The re sult o f stud y sho we d tha t: (1) the re a re c o mp e te nc e s g a p b e twe e n wha t
ha ve a lre a d y g ive n b y vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l to re a l ne e d o f ind ustry se c to r. The
b ig g e st g a p s we re o n vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua tio n c o mp e te nc e s if it wa s
lo o ke d fro m wha t b ig ind ustry ne e d e d fo llo we d b y sma ll ind ustry, me d ium ind ustry,
a nd e ntre p re ne ur ; a nd (2) g e ne ra lly vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua tio n wa s we a k in
so ft skill. Be c a use o f tha t, ind ustry ne e d s to p ut so ft skill a sp e c t a s ma in ta rg e t g ive n
in o rd e r to p re p a re vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua tio n to wo rk a t first jo b .
Ke ywords: vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l, ma nufa c ture ind ustry, so ft skills
Intro duc tio n
Pa ra d ig ms c ha ng e s in vo c a tio na l le a rning p ro c e ss fro m sup p ly d rive n to d e ma nd
d rive n ma ke ha p p e n e d uc a tio n institutio ns re sp o nsib le to g ra d ua tio n q ua litie s
inc lud ing
ho w to
g e t jo b s a fte r the y g ra d ua te . Ed uc a tio n no t o nly sup p ly
e mp lo yme nts b ut a lso initia te p ro d uc ing g ra d ua tio n tha t ne e d b y so c ie ty a nd wo rk
file d . Be c a use o f tha t e d uc a tio n institutio ns inc lud ing vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l wa s
a p p ro p ria te e va lua te its g ra d ua tio n in o rd e r to g e t le a rning p ro g ra m fe e d b a c k.
In q ua lity a sp e c t o f p ro g ra m ho ld e r, the q ue stio n tha t ne e d s to a nsw e r is ho w b ig
the suita b ility o f c o mp e te nc e s g ive n b y vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l o f ind ustria l g ro up
with wha t the wo rk fie ld ne e d e sp e c ia lly b y ma nufa c ture ind ustry. Mo re sma lle r the
g a p o f c o mp e te nc e s g ive n b y vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l o f ind ustria l g ro up to wha t
ne e d e d b y ma nufa c ture ind ustry sho w tha t mo re b e tte r the q ua lity o f e xisting
vo c a tio na l running p ro g ra m in vo c a tio n a l hig h sc ho o l o f ind ustria l g ro up .
Ba se d o n the p ro b le ms a b o ve , this stud y trie d to lo o k up a t so me p ro b le ms a s fo llo w:
1. Ho w a re
the suita b ility o f vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l o f ind ustria l g ro up ’ s
g ra d ua tio n c o mp e te nc e s with c o mp e te nc e s tha t ne e d e d b y wo rk file d ?
2. Wha t kind s o f e ffo rts tha t ind ustria l ha ve a lre a d y d o ne to o ve rc o me the
we a kne sse s a nd limita tio n o f vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua tio n a s ne w
e mp lo yme nts in ind ustry?
It wa s ho p e d tha t this stud y c a n g ive c o ntrib utio ns to vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l
d e ve lo p me nt p o lic y e sp e c ia lly SMK o f ind ustria l g ro up in re la tio n with p ro g ra m
a p p ro p ria te ne ss, c o ntrib utio n to
d e ve lo p me nt o f ma nufa c ture
ind ustry a nd
imp ro ving the q ua lity o f running p ro g ra m.
Me tho d
Re se a rc h a p p ro a c h use d in this stud y wa s q ua ntita tive with e xp lo ra tive surve y
me tho d . Thro ug h this a p p ro a c h, d a ta wa s c o lle c te d to o ve rc o me the suita b ility
b e twe e n c o mp e te nc e s g ive n b y vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l o f ind ustria l g ro up with
wha t the wo rk fie ld ne e d e sp e c ia lly b y ma nufa c ture ind ustry, c ha in c o nve rsio n
ne e d e d b y vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua tio ns who wo rk in ma nufa c ture ind ustry.
Po p ula tio ns o f this stud y we re vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l o f ind ustria l g ro up in Ind o ne sia .
Sa m p le w a s d e te rmine d b y multi sta g e c luste r ra nd o m sa mp ling . Da ta wa s
c o lle c te d using q ue stio nna ire , d o c ume nta tio ns a nd inte rvie w. Prima ry d a ta wa s
c o lle c te d b y me e t re sp o nd e nts o r d a ta re so urc e s to
c o nd uc te d
o b se rva tio n
a nd
d o c ume nta tio ns
at
fill q ue stio nna ire
vo c a tio na l
hig h
a nd
sc ho o l,
ma nufa c ture ind ustrie s a nd ma nufa c ture e ntre p re ne ur whic h a re c ho se n a s sa mp le .
To find o ut the suita b ility a nd g a p s b e twe e n c o mp e te nc e s g ive n b y vo c a tio na l hig h
sc ho o l o f ind ustria l g ro up with wha t the wo rk fie ld s ne e d e sp e c ia lly b y ma nufa c ture
ind ustry, q ua ntita tive d e sc rip tive a na lysis wa s use d .
Re sults a nd Disc ussio ns
The first find ing , in the te rms o f a p p ro p ria te ne ss b e twe e n c o mp e te nc e s g ive n b y
vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l o f ind ustria l g ro up with wha t ne e d e d b y wo rk fie ld se e me d
tha t the re a re so me g a p s b e twe e n wha t g ive n b y vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l with
a ttitud e o f g ra d ua te in ind ustrie s e ithe r b ig , me d ium, sma ll ind ustrie s o r e ntre p re ne ur
(se e ta b le 1). This find ing b e c o me s me a ning ful c o ntrib utio n fo r vo c a tio na l hig h
sc ho o l to na rro wing e xisting g a p s. Mo re sma ll e xisting g a p s a re sho we d mo re
suc c e ss vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l in p re p a ring its g ra d ua tio ns to e nte r wo rk fie ld .
Ta b le 1. Ap p ro p ria te ne ss b e twe e n c o mp e te nc e s g ive n b y vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l o f
ind ustria l g ro up s a nd ne e d e d b y ind ustrie s
C o m pe te nc ie s
Ha rd skill
So ft skill
Sub
c o m pe te nc ie s
Wo rk
p re p a ra tio n
Wo rk
Wo rk re sult
C o m pe te nc ie s
g ive n b y
vo c a tio na l
hig h sc ho o l
Kine rja in ind ustry
Big
m e d ium
sma ll
e ntre pre ne ur
%
Sc o re s
%
sc ore s
%
sc ore s
%
Sc o re s
%
sc o re s
88
3.52
69
2.8
80
3.2
76
3
84
3.4
83.1
3.32
69
2.8
76
3
68
2.7
78.79
3.15
84.7
3.39
75
3
78
3.1
73
2.9
85
3.4
85.8
3.34
69.5
2.78
75.17
3.0
71.8
2.87
78.98
3.16
Be sid e s a p p ro p ria te ne ss c o mp e te nc ie s d a ta , d e ta ile d
imp o rta nt a sp e c ts o f
c o mp e te nc ie s fo r wo rking in ind ustrie s sho wn o n ta b le 2 b e lo w:
Ta b le 2. The imp o rta nc e s o f wo rking a sp e c ts a re tho se ne e d e d b y ind ustrie s.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Ite ms
Ho ne sty
Ethic wo rk
Re sp o nsib ilitie s
Disc ip line
Ap p lying sa fe ty a nd wo rk he a lth p rinc ip a ls
Initia tive a nd c re a tivity
C o o p e ra tio n
Ad a p ta b ility
Se lf c o nfid e nt
To le ra nt
Ap p lying p ro c e d ure o f q ua lity
Awa re ne ss
C a re e r d e ve lo p me nt
Se lf ne a tne ss
Ma na g e a nd a na lyze info rma tio n
Ma king re p o rt
Und e r p re ssure s wo rk
Re so lve d c o mp le x p ro b le ms
Pre se nta tio n a b ility
Fo re ig n la ng ua g e a b ility
Sc o re
3.78
3.71
3.7
3.68
3.65
3.6
3.59
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.49
3.49
3.24
3.2
3.1
3.1
3.1
3.1
3
2.7
Ta b le 2 sho wn tha t ho ne sty, e thic wo rk, re sp o nsib ility, d isc ip line a nd a p p lying sa fe ty
a nd wo rk he a lth p rinc ip a ls’ a sp e c t a re ma in a sp e c ts ne e d whe n wo rk o n in d ustry.
Ano the r a sp e c ts a lso a re imp o rta nt b ut in d iffe re nt le ve l o f urg e nt io n .
Vie w ing fro m c o mp e te nc e a sp e c ts tha t a re ha rd skill a nd so ft skill, it is se e me d tha t
g a p o f so ft skill mo re d o mina nt tha n ha rd skill a sp e c t. Be c a use o f tha t, b a la nc e
d e ve lo p me nt b e twe e n ha rd skill a nd so ft skill in line with e d uc a tio n ro le s a s a n e ffo rt
to g ive kno wle d g e a nd skills a nd p ut va lue , so it c a n fo rm a n ind ivid ua l se lf e ste e m.
Ind ivid ua l se lf e ste e m c o nta ins ind ivid ua l c o mp e te nc e s whic h re p re se nte d b y five
thing s, the y a re : mo tiva tio n, tra its, se lf c o nc e p t, kno wle d g e , a nd skills. (Wo o d , e ta l.,
2001:97; in G o za li, 2004).
Ano the r stud ie s a lso sta te d the imp o rta nc e o f so ft skill in d e te rmining so me o ne
a c hie ve me nt, inc lud ing in this c a se a re vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra dua tio n. Tho se
stud ie s a s c ite d b y He ri Kuswa ra (www.frie ya d ie .c o m.html) a re :
1. Ha rva rd Unive rsity sta te d tha t so me o ne a c hie ve me nt o n c a re e r a re 80%
d e te rmine d b y so ft skills a nd o nly 20% d e te rmine d b y ha rd skills.
2. The b o o k Le sso n fro m the To p b y Ne ff a nd C itrin (1999). Te n-suc c e ss tip s 50 the
mo st suc c e sse s p e rso n in Unite d Sta te
o f Ame ric a , e ig ht c rite ria a re
c o nta ining so ft skill a nd o nly two c rite ria o f ha rd skill.
3. Surve y fro m Na tio na l Asso c ia tio n o f C o lla g e and Emp lo ye e (NAC E), USA
(2002), to 457 le a d e rs in USA, a b o ut 20 imp o rta nt q ua lity o f suc c e ss p e o p le ,
the re sult sho wn tha t 18 a re so ft skill a nd o nly two o n ha rd skill.
4. “ A Who le Ne w Mind ” b o o k b y Da n Pink sta te d tha t “so ft skills ha ve b e c o me
the so urc e o f e c o no mic surviva l”
5. Psyc ho lo g ist Da vid Mc C le lla nd sta te d tha t “ the stro ng e st fa c to rs tha t
c o ntrib ute to e xe c utive suc c e ss a re so ft skills, o ne s ha rd skills tha t inc lud e in
tha t a re the a b ility o f a na lytic s think.
6. Rine lla Putri (Vib izne ws-Huma n Re so urc e s) sta te d tha t: “ c o mmunic a tio n a nd
inte rp e rso na l skill a re the mo st imp o rta nt g ua ra nte e to suc c e ss in a ny
p ro fe ssio ns.
Ac c umula tio n fro m o the rs re se a rc h a b o ve , ma d e e d uc a tio n wo rld inc lud ing
vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l p re p a ring its g ra d ua tio ns no t o nly re a d y fo r wo rk b ut a lso
re a d y to g e t c a re e r suc c e ss whe re ve r the y wo rk. And fo r Huma n Re so urc e s
p ra c titio ne r, ha rd skill a p p ro a c h ha ve a lre a d y the y le ft. It is me a ning le ss if ha d g o o d
ha rd skills, b ut b a d in so ft skills. It is c a n b e vie we d fro m jo b va c a nc y a d v e rtise me nts
re q uire d so ft skills in the ir re q uire me nt suc h a s te a m wo rk, a b ility to c o mmunic a te
a nd inte rp e rso na l re la tio nship . Whe n hire a ne w e mp lo yme nt, c o mp a ny p re fe r
c ho o se o ne s who ha s hig h so ft skills e ve n tho ug h his ha rd skills is lo we r. The re a so ns
a re simp le : g iving skill tra ining is e a sie r tha n d e ve lo p ing c ha ra c te r. It is c o mmo n in
re c ruiting
e mp lo yme nt stra te g y tha t to
c re a te
Rig ht Pe o p le-Rig ht Jo b -Rig ht
Pe rfo rma nc e , huma n re so urc e s p ra c titio ne rs fre q ue ntly d o sc re e ning re c ruitme nt
with “ Re c ruit fo r Attitud e , Tra in fo r Skill” p rinc ip le .
Ind ustry a nd b usine ss se c to r ha ve b e e n d o ne so me stud y to d e fining , d e c id ing
fa c to rs tha t d e te rmine so me o ne a c hie ve me nt in wo rking . In 1990 The Se c re ta ry
La b o r fo rme d o ne c o mmissio n to c o nd uc t re se a rc h a b o ut wha t kind o f skills ne e d b y
yo ung wo rke r to e nte r wo rk fie ld s. the re se a rc h re sult wa s p ut o n SC ANS (Se c re ta ry’ s
C o mmissio n o n Ac hie ving Ne c e ssa ry Skills). This re se a rc h fo und o ut tha t: “ mo re tha n
ha lf o f the na tio n’ s yo ung p e o p le we re le a ving sc ho o l witho ut the kno wle d g e
ne e d e d to find a nd ho ld a jo b ” . Fe w o f the m ha ve b a sic kno wle d g e a s g iving a
re a so n whe n the y sic k.
A Stud y ha ve b e e n d o ne b y C o rinne Ma so n, De a d tric k Ne wso n a nd Ed wa rd R. De l
G a izo , a b o ut tra ine r a nd ma na g e r o p inio ns fro m va rio us c o mp a nie s fo und 23 skills
whic h a re ne e d e d in wo rk. C o mmunic a tio n skills, se lf-e ste e m, a nd e thic wo rk a re
ma in fa c to rs tha t d e te rmine so me o ne a c hie ve me nt in his wo rk (By Bill C o p lin,
www.d b c c .fl.c o m). Ano the r stud y sho we d tha t e thic wo rk, a b ility to c o mmunic a te ;
se a rc hing info rma tio n tha t is fo llo we d with a na lytic a b ility a nd p ro b le m so lving skills
a re ma in fa c to rs tha t d e te rmine wo rk a c hie ve me nt ( www.usa to d a y.c o m.htm).
Va rio us re se a rc h a b o ve sho w tha t so ft skills ha ve stra te g ic ro le s in d e te rmining
so me o ne suc c e ss in his wo rks. Be c a use o f tha t inte g ra tio n b e twe e n ha rd skills a nd
so ft skills in p re p a ring e mp lo ye e with va rio us e ffo rts inc lud ing in fo rma l e d uc a tio n
sho uld b e d o ne . O n co ntra ry, ma ny o f e d uc a tio n institutio ns inc lud ing vo c a tio na l
hig h sc ho o l still d id no t re a lize tha t. A re se a rc h d o ne b y Busine ss-Hig he r Ed uc a tio n
a nd The C o lle g ia te Emp lo yme nt Re se a rc h Institute a t Mic hig a n Sta te Unive rsity
(www.d b c c .c c .fl.us.htm) sho we d
re sp o nd
fro m ma na g e rs whic h sta te d
tha t
stud e nts ha ve te c hniq ue skills b ut lo w in “ so ft skill.”
Stude nts te nd to think a hig h G PA a nd a de g re e will g ua ra nte e c a re e r
suc c e ss, b ut a nyo ne in the wo rk wo rld kno ws tha t o nly skills a nd c ha ra c te r
e nsure suc c e ss. The G PA p ro vide s s e mp lo ye rs with o ne indic a tio n tha t the
stude nt c a n wo rk ha rd a nd ma na g e time we ll. Stude nts g ra dua ting with 3.0
will p a ss the g ra d e c ut-o ff fo r mo st jo b s. So me e mp lo ye rs wa nt to se e a 3.55,
b ut no t mo st. A fe w e ve n b e c o me susp ic io us whe n G PA g e t b e yo nd the 3.6
ra ng e . A c o rp o ra te re c ruite r se nt me this no te :” O ur c uto ff is 3.0 a 3.2 is re a lly
lo o ke d a t no d iffe re ntly fro m 3.7.
So ft skill inve stme nt to stud e nts is imp o rta nt a sp e c t in c re a te g ra d ua ting whic h c a n
c o mp e te a nd suc c e ss o n the ir jo b s. In c o nc lusio ns, inte g ra tio n p a tte rn stud ie s
b e twe e n ha rd skills a nd so ft skills a re ne e d e d in le a rning p ro c e ss with va rio us
stra te g ie s.
The se c o nd find ing o f this stud y a re va rio us e ffo rts d o ing b y so me ind ustrie s in re so lve
the we a kne sse s a nd the limita tio n o f vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua ting a s a ne w
e mp lo ye e in ind ustrie s (se e ta b le 3). Ba se d o n id e ntific a tio n o f c o mp e te nc ie s g a p s
ha d b y vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua ting a s a ne w e mp lo ye e in ind ustrie s mo st o n
so ft skills a sp e c ts like a d a p ta tio n, se lf c o nfid e nts, wo rk te a m, se lf ma na g e me nt,
d isc ip line , initia tive , wo rk me nta l, a nd so o n. And fro m ha rd skills a sp e c t so me
we a kne sse s a re c o me fro m und e rsta nd ing wo rk instruc tio ns, kno wle d g e o f wo rk o n
ind u stry, wo rk sa fe ty a nd he a lthy, d ra wing with c o mp ute rs, a nd und e rsta nd ing o f
Sta nd a rd O p e ra ting Pro c e d ure s (SO P). Be sid e s tha t so me ind ustrie s ha ve a lre a d y
a ske d the
vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua ting to c o nd uc t p ro d uc tio n p ro c e ss
p la nning in simp le sc a le . It is b e c o me o n c o ntrib utio n fo r vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l in
d e sig n its le a rning p ro c e ss.
Ta b le 3. G a p s a sp e c ts b e twe e n vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua ting c o mp e te nc e s
a nd e ffo rts d o ne b y ind ustrie s.
Ha rd skills c o m p o ne nts
Big
ind ic a to rs
(%)
53
Me d ium
ind ic a to r
(%)
47
Sm a ll
ind ic a to r
(%)
26.7
So ft skills c o m p o ne nts
47
53
73.3
Dire c tly p la c e d to w o rk
Ne e d a d d itio na l tra ining
20
20
0
47
7
40
Wo rk d ire c tly a nd tra ining
60
53
53
Exte rna l tra ining
30
20
26.67
Inte rna l tra ining
70
80
73.33
Ind ic a to rs
Ite ms
The p rio rity
c o m p e te nc ie s in
re c ruiting a ne w
e m p lo ye e
Ne w e m p lo ye e
fro m vo c a tio na l
hig h sc ho o l
g ra d ua ting
Sp e c ia l tra ining
fo r ne w
e m p lo ye e
Ea rly
c o m p e te nc ie s
ne e d e d a nd le ss
ha ve b y
vo c a tio na l hig h
sc ho o l
g ra d ua ting
Ad d e d tra ining
g ive n to ne w
e m p lo ye e
b e fo re e nte rs
the ir first jo b .
Ma in a sp e c t o f
vo c a tio na l hig h
sc ho o l
g ra d ua ting
w e a kne sse s
Kno w ing stuffs a nd ind ustry w o rk rule s, m a na g e m e nt, p la nning w o rk
p ro c e ss,
d ra w ing
w ith
c o m p ute r,
K3,
q ua lity
und e rsta nd ing ,
c o m m unic a tio n, a d a p ta tio n, a w a re ne ss, fie ld sp e c ific a tio n, ind ustria l
kno w le d g e , w o rk a ffe c tivity, und e rsta nd ing ha rm ful m a te ria ls.
Wo rk instruc tio ns, e thic w o rk, d isc ip line , te a m w o rk, intro d uc ing p ro d uc t,
w o rk sa fe ty, w o rk o rie nta tio n, se lf tra ining , stuffs intro d uc ing , jo b
d e sc rip tio n, d isc ip line , rule s o f c o nd uc t, w o rk m e nta l, c o m p e te a b ility.
Ma turity (le ss w o rk e xp e rie nc e ), se lf c o nfid e nt, fo re ig n la ng ua g e , b a se
c o m p e te nc e , vo c a tio na l c o m p ute rs, w o rks te a m , p e rfo rm a nc e
m a na g e m e nt, m o tiva tio n, w o rk m e nta l, d iso b e y SO P, unsp e c ific skills,
d ra w ing w ith c o m p ute r, d isc ip line , initia tive , ind ustria l e xp e rie nc e s, w o rk
m e nta l w a s no t re a d y, le a d e rship , w o rk m a na g e m e nt, w o rks sa fe ty a nd
he a lthy, use d o f m e te r stuffs, w o rk a ttitud e , te c hno lo g ie s a d a p ta tio n.
Vie wing fro m tra ining p a tte rn d o ne b y ind ustrie s, mo st o f ind ustrie s ha ve p re fe rre d
d o inte rna l tra ining tha n e xte rna l tra ining . It wa s c a n b e c a use d b y limita tio n o f
re so urc e s b e sid e s c o mp le xity. In a d d itio n, it se e me d tha t mo st o f the vo c a tio na l hig h
sc ho o l g ra d ua ting c a n b e d ire c tly wo rks o r wo rk with tra ining in c o -wo rk syste m with
se nio r. This imp lie s tha t b a sic skills in wo rking a sp e c t we re e no ug h. Be c a use o f tha t
the tra ining mo re a ime d fo r inve st so ft skills a sp e c ts.
Find ing s fro m this stud y a re c o ntrib utio n fo r vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l in fo c using its
g ra d ua ting to b e e a sie r in a d a p ta tio n with wo rks wo rld . So me a sp e c ts ne e d mo re
a tte ntio n, the y a re a d d ing ne e d e d in c o mp e te nc ie s o f vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l
g ra d ua ting with wo rk p la nning a b ility (simp le ), a b ility in wo rk sa fe ty a nd he a lthy,
a b ility in und e rsta nd ing
ha rmful ma te ria ls, und e rsta nd ing
wo rk q ua lity a nd
instruc tio n. So ft skills a sp e c t ne e d to b e hig hlig ht a re e thic wo rk, d isc ip line , a nd te a m
wo rk, c o mp e te a nd wo rk me nta l.
C o nc lusio ns
1. G a p s c o mp e te nc ie s still e xist b e twe e n wha t a re vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o ls
a lre a d y g ive n a nd re a l ne e d s in ind ustria l se c to r. The b ig g e st g a p s we re o n
vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua ting c o mp e te nc ie s if lo o ke d fro m b ig ind ustrie s
ne e d fo llo we d b y sma ll ind ustrie s, me d ium ind ustrie s a nd e ntre p re ne u r.
2. The We a kne sse s a nd la c king o f vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l a s ne w e mp lo ye e in
ind ustry mo st c a use d b y so ft skills a sp e c ts tha n ha rd skills a sp e c ts. Be c a use o f
tha t ind ustry p ut so ft skills a sp e c ts a s ma in ta rg e t in p re p a re vo c a tio na l hig h
sc ho o l g ra d ua ting to wo rk in the ir first jo b s.
Sug g e stio ns
1.
Kno wing tha t still ma ny c o mp e te nc ie s g a p s b e twe e n wha t a re vo c a tio na l
hig h sc ho o l a lre a d y g ive n to its g ra d ua ting a nd re a l ne e d o f ind ustry. The
b ig g e st g a p s we re o n vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua ting c o mp e te nc ie s if
lo o ke d fro m b ig ind ustrie s (a t ha rd skills a sp e c t) fo llo we d b y sma ll ind ustry,
me d ium ind ustry, a nd e ntre p re ne ur. C o nse q ue ntly DPSMK ne e d to fo rmula te
c o lla b o ra tio n p a tte rn b e twe e n vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l a nd b ig ind ustry with
hig h -te c hno lo g y p a ra d ig m. The c o lla b o ra tio n c a n b e d o ne b y DPSMK
fa c ilita te SMK to p re se nting g ue st te a c he r fro m ind ustry fo llo we d b y vo lunte e r
o f te a c he rs/ stud e nts to b ig ind ustry.
2. Vie wing fro m g ra d ua ting c o mp e te nc e s, vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua ting
we a kne sse s we re o n so ft skills tha n ha rd skills. Be c a use o f tho se so ft skills
a sp e c ts ne e d to b e sub mitte d to vo c a tio na l sc ho o l c urric ulum with so me
imp le me nta tio n stra te g ie s. DPSMK c o o p e ra te with DPMPTK ne e d to d e ve lo p
so ft skills le a rning mo d e l in le a rning p ro c e ss a t vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l. The
d e ve lo p e d mo d e l is mo d e ls tha t inte g ra te so ft skills with d a ily le a rning p ro c e ss
a nd c re a te d ind ustry a tmo sp he re in sc ho o l a nd ma ximize vo c a tio na l/ c a re e r
a ssista nc e .
3. DPSMK ne e d to a rra ng e the g uid e line s a nd inte g ra tio n g uid e line fo r
d e ve lo p m e nt o f ha rd skills a nd so ft skills tha t a re ne e d e d b y vo c a tio na l hig h
sc ho o l g ra d ua ting to wo rks in ind ustry.
4.
An e ffo rts to inve st a nd inte g ra te d e ve lo p me nt b e twe e n so ft skills a nd ha rd
skills ne e d d e ve lo p me nt, stud y, a nd fo rmula tio n o f le a rning mo d e l tha t c a n
b e c o ntinuo usly a nd a p p lic a b le in re a c tio ns with sc ho o l c ulture , c re a ting
a c a d e mic a tmo sp he re , le a d e rship s, e thic wo rk, a nd inte g ra tio n in le a rning
p ro c e ss. Suc c e ssful a p p lic a tio n o ne o f the d e sig ns o f vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l
c a n b e stud y a nd fo llo w e d up in o rd e r to use e ffe c tive ly in o the r vo c a tio na l
hig h sc ho o l with so me va ria tio ns in o rd e r to a c c o mmo d a te va rio us c o nte xts.
5. Vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l ne e d to p ut a tte ntio n o n g iving its g ra d ua ting with
so ft skills like d isc ip line , ho ne sty, a b ility to co mmunic a te , a d a p ta tio n, a nd
a no the r so ft skills b e sid e s ha rd skills. It wa s b a se d o n ind ustria l re sp o nse whic h
sta te d tha t the ma in we a kne sse s o f vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua ting mo re
lie d o n so ft skills a sp e c ts.
Bib lio g ra phy
By Bill C o p lin (t.t) Fo r Ne w G ra dua te s, “ So ft-Skills Are The Se c re t We a p o n In Jo b Hun .
Ava ila b le a t: www.usa to d a y.c o m a c c e sse d on Ma rc h, 3 rd 2008
G ho za li, Ab b a s (2004). Studi Pe ra na n Pe ndidika n Te rha da p Pe rtumb uha n Eko no mi
(Ba litb a ng De p a rte me n Pe nd id ika n Na sio na l)
He ri Kuswa ra (t.t) Ap a p un Ma ta Kulia h ya ng d ia suh Be rika n Mua ta n So ft Skills
Dida la mnya . Ava ila b le a t: www.frie ya d ji.c o m.htm a c c e sse d o n Ma rc h, 3rd
2008
____________, So ft Skills Tra ining a nd C e rtific a tio n. Ava ila b le a t: www.d b c c .fl.us.htm.
Ac c e sse d o n Ma rc h, 3 rd 2008
VO C ATIO NAL HIG H SC HOO L G RADUATES
Wa g ira n
Fa c ulty o f Eng ine e ring , Yo g ya ka rta Sta te Unive rsity
Em a il: wa _g ira n@ ya ho o .c o m
This a rtic le wa s a p a rt o f c o ntrib utio n o f vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l to ma nufa c ture
d e ve lo p me nt. The o b je c tive s o f this stud y a re : (1) kno wing the ma tc h b e twe e n
g ra d ua tio n c o mp e te nc e s g ive n b y Ind ustria l Te c hno lo g y Vo c a tio na l Hig h Sc ho o l
with c o mp e te nc e s ne e d e d b y wo rk b usine ss a nd (2) kno wing effo rt tha t d o ing b y
ind ustry in re so lve d we a kne sse s a nd limita tio n o f vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua tio n
a s ne w e mp lo yme nts.
This stud y wa s use d q ua ntita tive a p p ro a c h with e xp lo ra tive surve y me tho d . The
p o p ula tio n o f the stud y is vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l o f ind ustria l g ro up s in Ind o ne sia .
Sa mp le wa s d e te rmine d with multi sta g e c luste r ra nd o m sa mp ling . Da ta o f stud y
c o lle c te d use q ue stio nna ire , d o c ume nta tio n a nd inte rvie w. Da ta a na lysis use d
g ro wth a c c o unting mo d e l me tho d a nd d e sc rip tive q ua ntita tive a na lysis.
The re sult o f stud y sho we d tha t: (1) the re a re c o mp e te nc e s g a p b e twe e n wha t
ha ve a lre a d y g ive n b y vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l to re a l ne e d o f ind ustry se c to r. The
b ig g e st g a p s we re o n vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua tio n c o mp e te nc e s if it wa s
lo o ke d fro m wha t b ig ind ustry ne e d e d fo llo we d b y sma ll ind ustry, me d ium ind ustry,
a nd e ntre p re ne ur ; a nd (2) g e ne ra lly vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua tio n wa s we a k in
so ft skill. Be c a use o f tha t, ind ustry ne e d s to p ut so ft skill a sp e c t a s ma in ta rg e t g ive n
in o rd e r to p re p a re vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua tio n to wo rk a t first jo b .
Ke ywords: vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l, ma nufa c ture ind ustry, so ft skills
Intro duc tio n
Pa ra d ig ms c ha ng e s in vo c a tio na l le a rning p ro c e ss fro m sup p ly d rive n to d e ma nd
d rive n ma ke ha p p e n e d uc a tio n institutio ns re sp o nsib le to g ra d ua tio n q ua litie s
inc lud ing
ho w to
g e t jo b s a fte r the y g ra d ua te . Ed uc a tio n no t o nly sup p ly
e mp lo yme nts b ut a lso initia te p ro d uc ing g ra d ua tio n tha t ne e d b y so c ie ty a nd wo rk
file d . Be c a use o f tha t e d uc a tio n institutio ns inc lud ing vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l wa s
a p p ro p ria te e va lua te its g ra d ua tio n in o rd e r to g e t le a rning p ro g ra m fe e d b a c k.
In q ua lity a sp e c t o f p ro g ra m ho ld e r, the q ue stio n tha t ne e d s to a nsw e r is ho w b ig
the suita b ility o f c o mp e te nc e s g ive n b y vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l o f ind ustria l g ro up
with wha t the wo rk fie ld ne e d e sp e c ia lly b y ma nufa c ture ind ustry. Mo re sma lle r the
g a p o f c o mp e te nc e s g ive n b y vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l o f ind ustria l g ro up to wha t
ne e d e d b y ma nufa c ture ind ustry sho w tha t mo re b e tte r the q ua lity o f e xisting
vo c a tio na l running p ro g ra m in vo c a tio n a l hig h sc ho o l o f ind ustria l g ro up .
Ba se d o n the p ro b le ms a b o ve , this stud y trie d to lo o k up a t so me p ro b le ms a s fo llo w:
1. Ho w a re
the suita b ility o f vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l o f ind ustria l g ro up ’ s
g ra d ua tio n c o mp e te nc e s with c o mp e te nc e s tha t ne e d e d b y wo rk file d ?
2. Wha t kind s o f e ffo rts tha t ind ustria l ha ve a lre a d y d o ne to o ve rc o me the
we a kne sse s a nd limita tio n o f vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua tio n a s ne w
e mp lo yme nts in ind ustry?
It wa s ho p e d tha t this stud y c a n g ive c o ntrib utio ns to vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l
d e ve lo p me nt p o lic y e sp e c ia lly SMK o f ind ustria l g ro up in re la tio n with p ro g ra m
a p p ro p ria te ne ss, c o ntrib utio n to
d e ve lo p me nt o f ma nufa c ture
ind ustry a nd
imp ro ving the q ua lity o f running p ro g ra m.
Me tho d
Re se a rc h a p p ro a c h use d in this stud y wa s q ua ntita tive with e xp lo ra tive surve y
me tho d . Thro ug h this a p p ro a c h, d a ta wa s c o lle c te d to o ve rc o me the suita b ility
b e twe e n c o mp e te nc e s g ive n b y vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l o f ind ustria l g ro up with
wha t the wo rk fie ld ne e d e sp e c ia lly b y ma nufa c ture ind ustry, c ha in c o nve rsio n
ne e d e d b y vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua tio ns who wo rk in ma nufa c ture ind ustry.
Po p ula tio ns o f this stud y we re vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l o f ind ustria l g ro up in Ind o ne sia .
Sa m p le w a s d e te rmine d b y multi sta g e c luste r ra nd o m sa mp ling . Da ta wa s
c o lle c te d using q ue stio nna ire , d o c ume nta tio ns a nd inte rvie w. Prima ry d a ta wa s
c o lle c te d b y me e t re sp o nd e nts o r d a ta re so urc e s to
c o nd uc te d
o b se rva tio n
a nd
d o c ume nta tio ns
at
fill q ue stio nna ire
vo c a tio na l
hig h
a nd
sc ho o l,
ma nufa c ture ind ustrie s a nd ma nufa c ture e ntre p re ne ur whic h a re c ho se n a s sa mp le .
To find o ut the suita b ility a nd g a p s b e twe e n c o mp e te nc e s g ive n b y vo c a tio na l hig h
sc ho o l o f ind ustria l g ro up with wha t the wo rk fie ld s ne e d e sp e c ia lly b y ma nufa c ture
ind ustry, q ua ntita tive d e sc rip tive a na lysis wa s use d .
Re sults a nd Disc ussio ns
The first find ing , in the te rms o f a p p ro p ria te ne ss b e twe e n c o mp e te nc e s g ive n b y
vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l o f ind ustria l g ro up with wha t ne e d e d b y wo rk fie ld se e me d
tha t the re a re so me g a p s b e twe e n wha t g ive n b y vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l with
a ttitud e o f g ra d ua te in ind ustrie s e ithe r b ig , me d ium, sma ll ind ustrie s o r e ntre p re ne ur
(se e ta b le 1). This find ing b e c o me s me a ning ful c o ntrib utio n fo r vo c a tio na l hig h
sc ho o l to na rro wing e xisting g a p s. Mo re sma ll e xisting g a p s a re sho we d mo re
suc c e ss vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l in p re p a ring its g ra d ua tio ns to e nte r wo rk fie ld .
Ta b le 1. Ap p ro p ria te ne ss b e twe e n c o mp e te nc e s g ive n b y vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l o f
ind ustria l g ro up s a nd ne e d e d b y ind ustrie s
C o m pe te nc ie s
Ha rd skill
So ft skill
Sub
c o m pe te nc ie s
Wo rk
p re p a ra tio n
Wo rk
Wo rk re sult
C o m pe te nc ie s
g ive n b y
vo c a tio na l
hig h sc ho o l
Kine rja in ind ustry
Big
m e d ium
sma ll
e ntre pre ne ur
%
Sc o re s
%
sc ore s
%
sc ore s
%
Sc o re s
%
sc o re s
88
3.52
69
2.8
80
3.2
76
3
84
3.4
83.1
3.32
69
2.8
76
3
68
2.7
78.79
3.15
84.7
3.39
75
3
78
3.1
73
2.9
85
3.4
85.8
3.34
69.5
2.78
75.17
3.0
71.8
2.87
78.98
3.16
Be sid e s a p p ro p ria te ne ss c o mp e te nc ie s d a ta , d e ta ile d
imp o rta nt a sp e c ts o f
c o mp e te nc ie s fo r wo rking in ind ustrie s sho wn o n ta b le 2 b e lo w:
Ta b le 2. The imp o rta nc e s o f wo rking a sp e c ts a re tho se ne e d e d b y ind ustrie s.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Ite ms
Ho ne sty
Ethic wo rk
Re sp o nsib ilitie s
Disc ip line
Ap p lying sa fe ty a nd wo rk he a lth p rinc ip a ls
Initia tive a nd c re a tivity
C o o p e ra tio n
Ad a p ta b ility
Se lf c o nfid e nt
To le ra nt
Ap p lying p ro c e d ure o f q ua lity
Awa re ne ss
C a re e r d e ve lo p me nt
Se lf ne a tne ss
Ma na g e a nd a na lyze info rma tio n
Ma king re p o rt
Und e r p re ssure s wo rk
Re so lve d c o mp le x p ro b le ms
Pre se nta tio n a b ility
Fo re ig n la ng ua g e a b ility
Sc o re
3.78
3.71
3.7
3.68
3.65
3.6
3.59
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.49
3.49
3.24
3.2
3.1
3.1
3.1
3.1
3
2.7
Ta b le 2 sho wn tha t ho ne sty, e thic wo rk, re sp o nsib ility, d isc ip line a nd a p p lying sa fe ty
a nd wo rk he a lth p rinc ip a ls’ a sp e c t a re ma in a sp e c ts ne e d whe n wo rk o n in d ustry.
Ano the r a sp e c ts a lso a re imp o rta nt b ut in d iffe re nt le ve l o f urg e nt io n .
Vie w ing fro m c o mp e te nc e a sp e c ts tha t a re ha rd skill a nd so ft skill, it is se e me d tha t
g a p o f so ft skill mo re d o mina nt tha n ha rd skill a sp e c t. Be c a use o f tha t, b a la nc e
d e ve lo p me nt b e twe e n ha rd skill a nd so ft skill in line with e d uc a tio n ro le s a s a n e ffo rt
to g ive kno wle d g e a nd skills a nd p ut va lue , so it c a n fo rm a n ind ivid ua l se lf e ste e m.
Ind ivid ua l se lf e ste e m c o nta ins ind ivid ua l c o mp e te nc e s whic h re p re se nte d b y five
thing s, the y a re : mo tiva tio n, tra its, se lf c o nc e p t, kno wle d g e , a nd skills. (Wo o d , e ta l.,
2001:97; in G o za li, 2004).
Ano the r stud ie s a lso sta te d the imp o rta nc e o f so ft skill in d e te rmining so me o ne
a c hie ve me nt, inc lud ing in this c a se a re vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra dua tio n. Tho se
stud ie s a s c ite d b y He ri Kuswa ra (www.frie ya d ie .c o m.html) a re :
1. Ha rva rd Unive rsity sta te d tha t so me o ne a c hie ve me nt o n c a re e r a re 80%
d e te rmine d b y so ft skills a nd o nly 20% d e te rmine d b y ha rd skills.
2. The b o o k Le sso n fro m the To p b y Ne ff a nd C itrin (1999). Te n-suc c e ss tip s 50 the
mo st suc c e sse s p e rso n in Unite d Sta te
o f Ame ric a , e ig ht c rite ria a re
c o nta ining so ft skill a nd o nly two c rite ria o f ha rd skill.
3. Surve y fro m Na tio na l Asso c ia tio n o f C o lla g e and Emp lo ye e (NAC E), USA
(2002), to 457 le a d e rs in USA, a b o ut 20 imp o rta nt q ua lity o f suc c e ss p e o p le ,
the re sult sho wn tha t 18 a re so ft skill a nd o nly two o n ha rd skill.
4. “ A Who le Ne w Mind ” b o o k b y Da n Pink sta te d tha t “so ft skills ha ve b e c o me
the so urc e o f e c o no mic surviva l”
5. Psyc ho lo g ist Da vid Mc C le lla nd sta te d tha t “ the stro ng e st fa c to rs tha t
c o ntrib ute to e xe c utive suc c e ss a re so ft skills, o ne s ha rd skills tha t inc lud e in
tha t a re the a b ility o f a na lytic s think.
6. Rine lla Putri (Vib izne ws-Huma n Re so urc e s) sta te d tha t: “ c o mmunic a tio n a nd
inte rp e rso na l skill a re the mo st imp o rta nt g ua ra nte e to suc c e ss in a ny
p ro fe ssio ns.
Ac c umula tio n fro m o the rs re se a rc h a b o ve , ma d e e d uc a tio n wo rld inc lud ing
vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l p re p a ring its g ra d ua tio ns no t o nly re a d y fo r wo rk b ut a lso
re a d y to g e t c a re e r suc c e ss whe re ve r the y wo rk. And fo r Huma n Re so urc e s
p ra c titio ne r, ha rd skill a p p ro a c h ha ve a lre a d y the y le ft. It is me a ning le ss if ha d g o o d
ha rd skills, b ut b a d in so ft skills. It is c a n b e vie we d fro m jo b va c a nc y a d v e rtise me nts
re q uire d so ft skills in the ir re q uire me nt suc h a s te a m wo rk, a b ility to c o mmunic a te
a nd inte rp e rso na l re la tio nship . Whe n hire a ne w e mp lo yme nt, c o mp a ny p re fe r
c ho o se o ne s who ha s hig h so ft skills e ve n tho ug h his ha rd skills is lo we r. The re a so ns
a re simp le : g iving skill tra ining is e a sie r tha n d e ve lo p ing c ha ra c te r. It is c o mmo n in
re c ruiting
e mp lo yme nt stra te g y tha t to
c re a te
Rig ht Pe o p le-Rig ht Jo b -Rig ht
Pe rfo rma nc e , huma n re so urc e s p ra c titio ne rs fre q ue ntly d o sc re e ning re c ruitme nt
with “ Re c ruit fo r Attitud e , Tra in fo r Skill” p rinc ip le .
Ind ustry a nd b usine ss se c to r ha ve b e e n d o ne so me stud y to d e fining , d e c id ing
fa c to rs tha t d e te rmine so me o ne a c hie ve me nt in wo rking . In 1990 The Se c re ta ry
La b o r fo rme d o ne c o mmissio n to c o nd uc t re se a rc h a b o ut wha t kind o f skills ne e d b y
yo ung wo rke r to e nte r wo rk fie ld s. the re se a rc h re sult wa s p ut o n SC ANS (Se c re ta ry’ s
C o mmissio n o n Ac hie ving Ne c e ssa ry Skills). This re se a rc h fo und o ut tha t: “ mo re tha n
ha lf o f the na tio n’ s yo ung p e o p le we re le a ving sc ho o l witho ut the kno wle d g e
ne e d e d to find a nd ho ld a jo b ” . Fe w o f the m ha ve b a sic kno wle d g e a s g iving a
re a so n whe n the y sic k.
A Stud y ha ve b e e n d o ne b y C o rinne Ma so n, De a d tric k Ne wso n a nd Ed wa rd R. De l
G a izo , a b o ut tra ine r a nd ma na g e r o p inio ns fro m va rio us c o mp a nie s fo und 23 skills
whic h a re ne e d e d in wo rk. C o mmunic a tio n skills, se lf-e ste e m, a nd e thic wo rk a re
ma in fa c to rs tha t d e te rmine so me o ne a c hie ve me nt in his wo rk (By Bill C o p lin,
www.d b c c .fl.c o m). Ano the r stud y sho we d tha t e thic wo rk, a b ility to c o mmunic a te ;
se a rc hing info rma tio n tha t is fo llo we d with a na lytic a b ility a nd p ro b le m so lving skills
a re ma in fa c to rs tha t d e te rmine wo rk a c hie ve me nt ( www.usa to d a y.c o m.htm).
Va rio us re se a rc h a b o ve sho w tha t so ft skills ha ve stra te g ic ro le s in d e te rmining
so me o ne suc c e ss in his wo rks. Be c a use o f tha t inte g ra tio n b e twe e n ha rd skills a nd
so ft skills in p re p a ring e mp lo ye e with va rio us e ffo rts inc lud ing in fo rma l e d uc a tio n
sho uld b e d o ne . O n co ntra ry, ma ny o f e d uc a tio n institutio ns inc lud ing vo c a tio na l
hig h sc ho o l still d id no t re a lize tha t. A re se a rc h d o ne b y Busine ss-Hig he r Ed uc a tio n
a nd The C o lle g ia te Emp lo yme nt Re se a rc h Institute a t Mic hig a n Sta te Unive rsity
(www.d b c c .c c .fl.us.htm) sho we d
re sp o nd
fro m ma na g e rs whic h sta te d
tha t
stud e nts ha ve te c hniq ue skills b ut lo w in “ so ft skill.”
Stude nts te nd to think a hig h G PA a nd a de g re e will g ua ra nte e c a re e r
suc c e ss, b ut a nyo ne in the wo rk wo rld kno ws tha t o nly skills a nd c ha ra c te r
e nsure suc c e ss. The G PA p ro vide s s e mp lo ye rs with o ne indic a tio n tha t the
stude nt c a n wo rk ha rd a nd ma na g e time we ll. Stude nts g ra dua ting with 3.0
will p a ss the g ra d e c ut-o ff fo r mo st jo b s. So me e mp lo ye rs wa nt to se e a 3.55,
b ut no t mo st. A fe w e ve n b e c o me susp ic io us whe n G PA g e t b e yo nd the 3.6
ra ng e . A c o rp o ra te re c ruite r se nt me this no te :” O ur c uto ff is 3.0 a 3.2 is re a lly
lo o ke d a t no d iffe re ntly fro m 3.7.
So ft skill inve stme nt to stud e nts is imp o rta nt a sp e c t in c re a te g ra d ua ting whic h c a n
c o mp e te a nd suc c e ss o n the ir jo b s. In c o nc lusio ns, inte g ra tio n p a tte rn stud ie s
b e twe e n ha rd skills a nd so ft skills a re ne e d e d in le a rning p ro c e ss with va rio us
stra te g ie s.
The se c o nd find ing o f this stud y a re va rio us e ffo rts d o ing b y so me ind ustrie s in re so lve
the we a kne sse s a nd the limita tio n o f vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua ting a s a ne w
e mp lo ye e in ind ustrie s (se e ta b le 3). Ba se d o n id e ntific a tio n o f c o mp e te nc ie s g a p s
ha d b y vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua ting a s a ne w e mp lo ye e in ind ustrie s mo st o n
so ft skills a sp e c ts like a d a p ta tio n, se lf c o nfid e nts, wo rk te a m, se lf ma na g e me nt,
d isc ip line , initia tive , wo rk me nta l, a nd so o n. And fro m ha rd skills a sp e c t so me
we a kne sse s a re c o me fro m und e rsta nd ing wo rk instruc tio ns, kno wle d g e o f wo rk o n
ind u stry, wo rk sa fe ty a nd he a lthy, d ra wing with c o mp ute rs, a nd und e rsta nd ing o f
Sta nd a rd O p e ra ting Pro c e d ure s (SO P). Be sid e s tha t so me ind ustrie s ha ve a lre a d y
a ske d the
vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua ting to c o nd uc t p ro d uc tio n p ro c e ss
p la nning in simp le sc a le . It is b e c o me o n c o ntrib utio n fo r vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l in
d e sig n its le a rning p ro c e ss.
Ta b le 3. G a p s a sp e c ts b e twe e n vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua ting c o mp e te nc e s
a nd e ffo rts d o ne b y ind ustrie s.
Ha rd skills c o m p o ne nts
Big
ind ic a to rs
(%)
53
Me d ium
ind ic a to r
(%)
47
Sm a ll
ind ic a to r
(%)
26.7
So ft skills c o m p o ne nts
47
53
73.3
Dire c tly p la c e d to w o rk
Ne e d a d d itio na l tra ining
20
20
0
47
7
40
Wo rk d ire c tly a nd tra ining
60
53
53
Exte rna l tra ining
30
20
26.67
Inte rna l tra ining
70
80
73.33
Ind ic a to rs
Ite ms
The p rio rity
c o m p e te nc ie s in
re c ruiting a ne w
e m p lo ye e
Ne w e m p lo ye e
fro m vo c a tio na l
hig h sc ho o l
g ra d ua ting
Sp e c ia l tra ining
fo r ne w
e m p lo ye e
Ea rly
c o m p e te nc ie s
ne e d e d a nd le ss
ha ve b y
vo c a tio na l hig h
sc ho o l
g ra d ua ting
Ad d e d tra ining
g ive n to ne w
e m p lo ye e
b e fo re e nte rs
the ir first jo b .
Ma in a sp e c t o f
vo c a tio na l hig h
sc ho o l
g ra d ua ting
w e a kne sse s
Kno w ing stuffs a nd ind ustry w o rk rule s, m a na g e m e nt, p la nning w o rk
p ro c e ss,
d ra w ing
w ith
c o m p ute r,
K3,
q ua lity
und e rsta nd ing ,
c o m m unic a tio n, a d a p ta tio n, a w a re ne ss, fie ld sp e c ific a tio n, ind ustria l
kno w le d g e , w o rk a ffe c tivity, und e rsta nd ing ha rm ful m a te ria ls.
Wo rk instruc tio ns, e thic w o rk, d isc ip line , te a m w o rk, intro d uc ing p ro d uc t,
w o rk sa fe ty, w o rk o rie nta tio n, se lf tra ining , stuffs intro d uc ing , jo b
d e sc rip tio n, d isc ip line , rule s o f c o nd uc t, w o rk m e nta l, c o m p e te a b ility.
Ma turity (le ss w o rk e xp e rie nc e ), se lf c o nfid e nt, fo re ig n la ng ua g e , b a se
c o m p e te nc e , vo c a tio na l c o m p ute rs, w o rks te a m , p e rfo rm a nc e
m a na g e m e nt, m o tiva tio n, w o rk m e nta l, d iso b e y SO P, unsp e c ific skills,
d ra w ing w ith c o m p ute r, d isc ip line , initia tive , ind ustria l e xp e rie nc e s, w o rk
m e nta l w a s no t re a d y, le a d e rship , w o rk m a na g e m e nt, w o rks sa fe ty a nd
he a lthy, use d o f m e te r stuffs, w o rk a ttitud e , te c hno lo g ie s a d a p ta tio n.
Vie wing fro m tra ining p a tte rn d o ne b y ind ustrie s, mo st o f ind ustrie s ha ve p re fe rre d
d o inte rna l tra ining tha n e xte rna l tra ining . It wa s c a n b e c a use d b y limita tio n o f
re so urc e s b e sid e s c o mp le xity. In a d d itio n, it se e me d tha t mo st o f the vo c a tio na l hig h
sc ho o l g ra d ua ting c a n b e d ire c tly wo rks o r wo rk with tra ining in c o -wo rk syste m with
se nio r. This imp lie s tha t b a sic skills in wo rking a sp e c t we re e no ug h. Be c a use o f tha t
the tra ining mo re a ime d fo r inve st so ft skills a sp e c ts.
Find ing s fro m this stud y a re c o ntrib utio n fo r vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l in fo c using its
g ra d ua ting to b e e a sie r in a d a p ta tio n with wo rks wo rld . So me a sp e c ts ne e d mo re
a tte ntio n, the y a re a d d ing ne e d e d in c o mp e te nc ie s o f vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l
g ra d ua ting with wo rk p la nning a b ility (simp le ), a b ility in wo rk sa fe ty a nd he a lthy,
a b ility in und e rsta nd ing
ha rmful ma te ria ls, und e rsta nd ing
wo rk q ua lity a nd
instruc tio n. So ft skills a sp e c t ne e d to b e hig hlig ht a re e thic wo rk, d isc ip line , a nd te a m
wo rk, c o mp e te a nd wo rk me nta l.
C o nc lusio ns
1. G a p s c o mp e te nc ie s still e xist b e twe e n wha t a re vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o ls
a lre a d y g ive n a nd re a l ne e d s in ind ustria l se c to r. The b ig g e st g a p s we re o n
vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua ting c o mp e te nc ie s if lo o ke d fro m b ig ind ustrie s
ne e d fo llo we d b y sma ll ind ustrie s, me d ium ind ustrie s a nd e ntre p re ne u r.
2. The We a kne sse s a nd la c king o f vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l a s ne w e mp lo ye e in
ind ustry mo st c a use d b y so ft skills a sp e c ts tha n ha rd skills a sp e c ts. Be c a use o f
tha t ind ustry p ut so ft skills a sp e c ts a s ma in ta rg e t in p re p a re vo c a tio na l hig h
sc ho o l g ra d ua ting to wo rk in the ir first jo b s.
Sug g e stio ns
1.
Kno wing tha t still ma ny c o mp e te nc ie s g a p s b e twe e n wha t a re vo c a tio na l
hig h sc ho o l a lre a d y g ive n to its g ra d ua ting a nd re a l ne e d o f ind ustry. The
b ig g e st g a p s we re o n vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua ting c o mp e te nc ie s if
lo o ke d fro m b ig ind ustrie s (a t ha rd skills a sp e c t) fo llo we d b y sma ll ind ustry,
me d ium ind ustry, a nd e ntre p re ne ur. C o nse q ue ntly DPSMK ne e d to fo rmula te
c o lla b o ra tio n p a tte rn b e twe e n vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l a nd b ig ind ustry with
hig h -te c hno lo g y p a ra d ig m. The c o lla b o ra tio n c a n b e d o ne b y DPSMK
fa c ilita te SMK to p re se nting g ue st te a c he r fro m ind ustry fo llo we d b y vo lunte e r
o f te a c he rs/ stud e nts to b ig ind ustry.
2. Vie wing fro m g ra d ua ting c o mp e te nc e s, vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua ting
we a kne sse s we re o n so ft skills tha n ha rd skills. Be c a use o f tho se so ft skills
a sp e c ts ne e d to b e sub mitte d to vo c a tio na l sc ho o l c urric ulum with so me
imp le me nta tio n stra te g ie s. DPSMK c o o p e ra te with DPMPTK ne e d to d e ve lo p
so ft skills le a rning mo d e l in le a rning p ro c e ss a t vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l. The
d e ve lo p e d mo d e l is mo d e ls tha t inte g ra te so ft skills with d a ily le a rning p ro c e ss
a nd c re a te d ind ustry a tmo sp he re in sc ho o l a nd ma ximize vo c a tio na l/ c a re e r
a ssista nc e .
3. DPSMK ne e d to a rra ng e the g uid e line s a nd inte g ra tio n g uid e line fo r
d e ve lo p m e nt o f ha rd skills a nd so ft skills tha t a re ne e d e d b y vo c a tio na l hig h
sc ho o l g ra d ua ting to wo rks in ind ustry.
4.
An e ffo rts to inve st a nd inte g ra te d e ve lo p me nt b e twe e n so ft skills a nd ha rd
skills ne e d d e ve lo p me nt, stud y, a nd fo rmula tio n o f le a rning mo d e l tha t c a n
b e c o ntinuo usly a nd a p p lic a b le in re a c tio ns with sc ho o l c ulture , c re a ting
a c a d e mic a tmo sp he re , le a d e rship s, e thic wo rk, a nd inte g ra tio n in le a rning
p ro c e ss. Suc c e ssful a p p lic a tio n o ne o f the d e sig ns o f vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l
c a n b e stud y a nd fo llo w e d up in o rd e r to use e ffe c tive ly in o the r vo c a tio na l
hig h sc ho o l with so me va ria tio ns in o rd e r to a c c o mmo d a te va rio us c o nte xts.
5. Vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l ne e d to p ut a tte ntio n o n g iving its g ra d ua ting with
so ft skills like d isc ip line , ho ne sty, a b ility to co mmunic a te , a d a p ta tio n, a nd
a no the r so ft skills b e sid e s ha rd skills. It wa s b a se d o n ind ustria l re sp o nse whic h
sta te d tha t the ma in we a kne sse s o f vo c a tio na l hig h sc ho o l g ra d ua ting mo re
lie d o n so ft skills a sp e c ts.
Bib lio g ra phy
By Bill C o p lin (t.t) Fo r Ne w G ra dua te s, “ So ft-Skills Are The Se c re t We a p o n In Jo b Hun .
Ava ila b le a t: www.usa to d a y.c o m a c c e sse d on Ma rc h, 3 rd 2008
G ho za li, Ab b a s (2004). Studi Pe ra na n Pe ndidika n Te rha da p Pe rtumb uha n Eko no mi
(Ba litb a ng De p a rte me n Pe nd id ika n Na sio na l)
He ri Kuswa ra (t.t) Ap a p un Ma ta Kulia h ya ng d ia suh Be rika n Mua ta n So ft Skills
Dida la mnya . Ava ila b le a t: www.frie ya d ji.c o m.htm a c c e sse d o n Ma rc h, 3rd
2008
____________, So ft Skills Tra ining a nd C e rtific a tio n. Ava ila b le a t: www.d b c c .fl.us.htm.
Ac c e sse d o n Ma rc h, 3 rd 2008