Program 3: Improving Vocational Students’ Soft Skills Through Structured Internship Programs

Vocational High School (SMK) graduates are prepared to become skilled workers who are ready to enter the Business and Industrial World (DUDI). However, there is a paradox in the national and regional regions, including in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of NTB consistently shows that the Open Unemployment Rate (TPT) of vocational school graduates often contributes the highest number.

Figure 4. The gap between the number of vocational school graduates and the number of vocational school graduates who work or continue their studies

This problem indicates that there is a gap between the competencies taught in schools and the real needs of the students. More specifically, rodents not only require technical skills (hard skills), but also  demand soft skills such as work ethic, communication, problem-solving skills, and teamwork that are often not honed.

The current internship program (Prakerin) is sometimes rocedulal and has not focused on developing soft skills in a structured manner.

Responding to this challenge, the Sino International Research and Development Foundation, through the pillars of “Workshop” and “Coaching”, initiated the “Vocational School Student Soft Skill Improvement Program” as a strategic intervention to increase the absorption of vocational school graduates in Lombok, NTB.

2. Program Objectives

General Objective: To increase  the employability (employability of vocational school graduates in Lombok, NTB, by bridging the soft skills gap  needed by the industry.

Special Purpose:

1. Equipping vocational school students with  essential soft skills (e.g.: professional communication, work ethic, time management, and problem solving).
2. Changing the paradigm of the internship program from just an administrative formality to a structured talent incubation program.
3. Strengthening the real “Link and Match” partnership between partner vocational schools and DUDI in Lombok.
4. Build confidence and a professional mentality in students before they graduate.

3. Program Needs Analysis & Justification

The need for this program is based on three pillars of analysis:

1. Industry Needs (Demand-Side): Industry surveys and interviews with HR managers consistently mention that attitude and soft skills are the main considerations in recruiting new graduates. Industry can tolerate a lack of hard skills (because they can be trained), but it is difficult to tolerate a lack of soft skills.
2. Disadvantages of Current Internship Systems: Existing internship programs often lack clear modules. Students are placed in industries without intensive mentoring, and often end up doing basic administrative tasks (e.g., photocopying, making coffee) with minimal learning, especially soft skillslearning.
3. The potential of “Link and Match”: This program places the Foundation as a “bridge”. We don’t just send students, but we escort them. We provide workshops before the internship, coaching modules  during the internship, and evaluations after the internship. It is a structured internship model focused on building work character.

4. Program Mechanism and Partner Roles

This program is a tripartite collaboration between Foundations, Vocational Schools, and Industry (DUDI), which is implemented in three phases:

Table 5. Program Mechanism and Partner Roles

Phase	Main Activities	Foundation Role (Sino R&D)	Partner Vocational School Role (SMK)	Partner Industry Role (DUDI)
Phase 1: Preparation (Pre-Internship)	Soft-Skill Bootcamp & Industry Mapping	Deliver “Professional Mindset” workshops; select partner industries.	Select students; integrate bootcamp into curriculum.	Provide internship criteria and vacancies.
Phase 2: Implementation (Internship)	Structured Internship & Coaching	Provide modules & soft-skill logbook; regular coaching and monitoring.	Assign supervising teachers.	Assign mentors; provide real tasks and performance feedback.
Phase 3: Evaluation (Post-Internship)	Debriefing & Performance Assessment	Conduct evaluation sessions; issue Soft-Skill Certificates.	Curriculum review based on feedback.	Final assessment and potential recruitment.

5. Long-Term Impact Projections

Interventions on soft skills at the vocational school level will have a significant chain impact on the employment ecosystem in NTB.

Table 6. Structured Internship Program Impact Projection Table

Time Frame	Student Impact Projection	Ecosystem Impact Projection
Short-Term (Year 1)	Students gain professional mindset and real work portfolios; higher interview confidence.	2 partner SMKs and 5 industries piloted; industries receive better intern support.
Medium-Term (Years 2–3)	15–20% increase in employability rate of partner school graduates; shorter waiting period for employment.	Structured internship model replicated wider; Foundation recognized as SMK talent hub.
Long-Term (Years 4–5)	NTB vocational graduates renowned for work ethic and soft skills comparable to developed regions.	Gradual decrease in vocational graduate unemployment; systemic curriculum improvement via industry feedback.