Must Know! These Are the Five Benefits of Enrolling in a Vocational School

Indonesia offers a variety of educational options at various levels for prospective students to gain knowledge, one of which is vocational education. However, vocational education must still be widely known among the general public. Yet, vocational education comes with a range of advantages worth considering. Vocational education is a dynamic educational pathway that continuously innovates in curriculum and collaboration with external sectors. The curriculum in vocational education is adjusted to labor market growth and adapts to advancements in knowledge and technology.

What sets vocational education apart from regular academic education is its curriculum composition, with 60 percent allocated to practical learning and 40 percent to theoretical subjects. The educational goals also differ significantly between vocational education and bachelor's degree programs. Vocational education prepares students to enter the workforce and fully integrate into the industrial sector. In contrast, bachelor's degree programs facilitate knowledge development and emphasize the application of academic disciplines.

Five Benefits of Enrolling in a Vocational School

Nonetheless, the Director of Vocational and Professional Higher Education at the Directorate General of Vocational Education, Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Beny Bandanajaja, aims for vocational education not only to focus on entering the industrial world but also to possess skills for knowledge development and the ability to create job opportunities. Therefore, vocational education is designed holistically to meet the needs of the industrial world and theoretical knowledge development, making it highly beneficial.

Here are five advantages that students and learners can experience when enrolling in vocational education:

Acquiring Skills and Experience in a Shorter Time

Vocational education is a worthwhile consideration because it provides skills and experience in a shorter time. Vocational schools offer shorter educational programs compared to bachelor's degree programs. While a bachelor's degree typically takes four or more years, vocational education requires only three years to obtain a diploma or associate degree for D3 graduates.

The relatively shorter educational period allows students to efficiently prepare for entering the workforce and earning their income sooner. While aspiring bachelor's graduates work on their theses, vocational students can make money by joining various companies or organizations.Despite the shorter duration of education, vocational graduates can compete effectively in the job market. The curriculum for vocational students is condensed and tailored to meet the job market's needs, ensuring the quality of vocational graduates.

Vocational Graduates Are More Competent Practically

Vocational graduates are trained to have a curriculum that emphasizes practical experience over theory. Various partnerships with industrial and business sectors support this approach. However, vocational students still gain theoretical knowledge, so they do not need to start from scratch when entering the workforce. The emphasis on practical experience in the curriculum makes vocational graduates easily absorbable by the industrial sector.

Better Job Prospects and Wider Networking Opportunities

Enrolling in vocational education provides access to a broader job market. Vocational graduates have already gained work experience in school, making them attractive to recruiters. They do not have to start from scratch when entering the workforce, and they are often sought after by recruiters, even before completing their education.

Many vocational institutions collaborate with companies to identify promising talent for specific requirements. Additionally, partnerships between vocational education and the industrial sector create opportunities for students and graduates to network with various fields of business. This makes it easier for vocational graduates to promote themselves in the industrial sector. Vocational graduates can quickly establish connections after graduation since they have already built a strong network during their schooling.

Vocational Schools Are Staffed by Competent Educators in Their Fields

Students receive knowledge and insights from highly competent educators in their respective fields when pursuing vocational education. Vocational instructors often undergo retooling programs initiated by the Directorate General of Vocational Education, Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia. This enhances the competencies of educators, making them better equipped to transfer knowledge to vocational learners.

While bachelor's programs often focus on research, vocational educators teach practical knowledge already applied in the workforce, industry, and business. This experience becomes a valuable asset for vocational learners.

Vocational Higher Education Offers Pathways for Further Education through Extensions

Another advantage of enrolling in vocational school is that students do not need to worry about continuing their education or facing challenges in pursuing higher degrees. This desire can be easily achieved as D3 and Applied Bachelor's (D4) graduates can extend their education to higher levels.

Extensions are a formal education mechanism that allows students to pursue specific levels of education without requiring an extensive amount of time. D3 graduates, for instance, only need a little over a year to obtain an S1 degree. Furthermore, for graduates of vocational high schools (SMK), opportunities to continue education, whether to S1, D3, or Applied Bachelor's, are readily available. Various educational institutions provide pathways for SMK graduates to pursue the same education as high school graduates.

CONCLUSION

There are numerous benefits to enrolling in vocational education. The five advantages mentioned above illustrate that vocational education is an attractive option for advancing one's education. There's no need to hesitate when entering vocational school, as it offers a variety of programs and activities that enhance the skills and abilities of learners.