School–industry Partnerships and Employment Outcomes in Vocational Senior High Schools : The Case of Surabaya, Indonesia

• In Event: Development and equal opportunities in Southeast Asia

Proposal

This study investigates the formation, implementation, and outcomes of school–industry partnerships in vocational senior high schools (Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan: SMKs) in Surabaya, Indonesia, and their role in facilitating students’ transition from school to employment. In recent decades, the Indonesian government has made substantial efforts to expand access to vocational education, with the expectation that SMKs would contribute directly to improving youth employment prospects and supporting local economic development. Nevertheless, a persistent challenge remains: a large proportion of SMK graduates continue to face difficulties in securing adequate employment, often encountering horizontal and vertical skill mismatches in the labor market. Recognizing this issue, policymakers have introduced various initiatives ranging from the revision of national curricula and competency standards to the provision of tax incentives and regulatory frameworks to encourage stronger collaboration between schools and industries. Despite these reforms, however, the extent to which such partnerships are effectively established and sustained at the school level remains underexplored.
While previous research has underscored the importance of linking technical and vocational education and training (TVET) with industry needs, few studies have provided a detailed account of how partnerships are initiated, the mechanisms through which they are maintained, and the ways in which their presence or absence affects the employment support services available to students. To fill this gap, the present study draws on qualitative fieldwork conducted in 16 purposively selected SMKs in Surabaya, representing a diverse range of school types (public and private), institutional sizes, and specialization areas. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with school administrators, teachers, and students to capture multiple perspectives on partnership formation and utilization. The study specifically examines (1) the processes through which partnerships are initiated, including reliance on personal networks, alumni connections, and government facilitation, and (2) the modes of implementation, with a focus on the types and delivery of employment support services such as internships, job placement programs, and career counseling.
The analysis highlights the varying degrees of institutional capacity and leadership commitment that influence partnership sustainability, as well as the enabling and constraining factors that shape collaboration between schools and industries. By applying Social Exchange Theory as a guiding framework, the study conceptualizes school-industry partnerships as reciprocal relationships in which perceived costs and benefits play a critical role in determining participation and long-term engagement. The findings point to the ways in which institutional characteristics, external networks, and leadership initiatives condition both the strength of partnerships and the quality and accessibility of employment services for students. Ultimately, the study provides insights into how school–industry linkages can be strengthened to better address skill mismatches, enhance the relevance of vocational training, and improve employment outcomes among vocational school graduates in Indonesia.

Author

• Noa Yokogawa, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University