Management Strategies for Vocational High Schools (SMK) and Industry Partnerships in the Revitalization of Vocational Education

Abstract

Vocational education in Indonesia faces an employment paradox, evidenced by a high Open Unemployment Rate (TPT) among graduates of Vocational High Schools (SMK)—ranging from 7.68% to 7.74% (813,776 graduates). This unemployment is most prevalent in industrial regions, such as West Java and Banten, particularly within technical fields (Automotive, Mechanical, and Computer/Informatics). In contrast, the health-related vocational sector has largely avoided this crisis, thanks to strict quota regulations and high demand within the home care market. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of vocational education revitalization policies and to formulate management strategies for vocational schools, along with substantive industry partnership models, through the integration of the "8+i Link and Match" scheme. Utilizing a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology based on the PRISMA approach, an in-depth analysis was conducted on 35 reputable national and international journals published over the last five years. The synthesis identifies four primary drivers of unemployment in industrial regions: skills mismatch, superficial partnerships (limited to formal MoUs), competition from migrant workers, and outsourcing systems. To break this cycle, school management must transform into "CEOs of vocational entities" by implementing five strategic steps: radical curriculum synchronization, upgrading teacher competencies through industrial internships, optimizing "Teaching Factories" to meet industry standards, restructuring digital-based school job centers (BKK), and integrating internships directly with recruitment processes. In conclusion, the success of vocational revitalization hinges significantly on the acumen and proactive approach of school management in building substantive, mutually beneficial partnerships with local businesses and industries.