The importance of partnership management to improve school-to-work transition readiness among vocational high school graduates

Abstract

Introduction. The large number of unemployed vocational graduates at this time is a matter of consideration for vocational high school to manage the programme well. This is important because vocational high schools need the help of other institutions to collaborate in improving student competencies.Aim. This research aimed to reveal the forms of partnership and partnership management framework that can be used between vocational high school and industry.Methodology and research methods. This study uses a qualitative method with a multiple case study approach. This research was conducted in vocational high school and industrial enterprises. To determine the participants, the purposive sampling was used. The research was conducted in six stages applying the case study model design from K. R. Yin (plan, design, preparation, data collection, analysis, sharing research results). Data triangulation was employed to establish the validity of research results. Data analysis was carried out with the help of ATLAS.ti Software version 8.3.Results and scientific novelty. The results of this research showed that the forms of partnership that can be used between vocational high school and industry are internship, industrial learning, work-based learning, and experiential learning. The partnership framework needed are planning, organising, actuating and monitoring, coordinating, and evaluating. The novelty from this research is a cooperation model for vocational high school to improving student competence according to industry needs. The model is also one part of the relevant objectives of vocational high schools for industry.Practical significance. The current research is useful for the Ministry of Education of Indonesia, vocational high schools, and industry, especially policy makers in decision making, principals, and Human Resources Development (HRD) in industry. A significant benefit is related to the importance of partnerships that need to be developed through joint programmes. This partnership is necessary to strengthen relationships between different roles (school and industry) to prepare vocational high school graduates in the transition from school-to-work in industry.