Analyzing work readiness among vocational high school graduates: The role of field work practice and motivation to enter the workforce.

Abstract

Abstrak

Tingginya angka pengangguran lulusan sekolah vokasi di tengah ketatnya persaingan industri menunjukkan adanya celah dalam kesiapan kerja yang perlu segera diatasi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh Praktik Kerja Lapangan (PKL) dan motivasi memasuki dunia kerja terhadap kesiapan kerja alumni SMKN 1 Karanganyar Tahun Ajaran 2023/2024, baik secara parsial maupun simultan. Jenis penelitian ini adalah kuantitatif dengan data primer yang dikumpulkan melalui angket skala Likert via Google Form. Populasi penelitian mencakup 528 alumni dengan sampel sebanyak 228 responden yang ditentukan melalui teknik proportionate stratified random sampling. Teknik analisis data menggunakan regresi linier berganda dengan uji t dan uji F pada taraf signifikansi 0,05 menggunakan SPSS 20. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa: (1) PKL berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kesiapan kerja alumni dengan nilai (thitung 11,598 > ttabel 1,652) dan kontribusi efektif sebesar 40,8%; (2) motivasi memasuki dunia kerja berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kesiapan kerja dengan nilai (thitung 4,827 > ttabel 1,652) dan kontribusi efektif sebesar 12,3%; serta (3) secara simultan, PKL dan motivasi berpengaruh positif terhadap kesiapan kerja dengan nilai (Fhitung 127,411 > Ftabel 3,04) dan total kontribusi efektif sebesar 53,1%. Temuan ini menegaskan bahwa pengalaman praktik dan motivasi internal secara bersama-sama merupakan faktor penentu kesiapan alumni dalam menghadapi dunia kerja. Hasil ini mengimplikasikan pentingnya penguatan sinergi antara sekolah dan industri untuk meningkatkan kualitas PKL serta perlunya program bimbingan karier yang intensif guna membangun motivasi kerja siswa sejak dini.

Kata kunci: praktik kerja lapangan; motivasi memasuki dunia kerja; kesiapan kerja professional; kompetensi vokasi

Abstract

The persistently high unemployment rate among vocational high school graduates amid intensifying industrial competition reveals a critical gap in workforce readiness that demands immediate attention. This study examined the influence of Field Work Practice (FWP) and motivation to enter the workforce on the work readiness of alumni from SMKN 1 Karanganyar for the 2023/2024 academic year, analyzing both partial and simultaneous effects. A quantitative research design was employed, with primary data collected through Likert-scale questionnaires administered via Google Forms. The study population comprised 528 alumni, from which 228 respondents were selected using proportionate stratified random sampling. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression with t-tests and F-tests at a significance level of 0.05, processed through SPSS 20. The findings revealed that: (1) FWP exerted a positive and significant effect on alumni work readiness (tobserved = 11.598 > tcritical = 1.652), with an effective contribution of 40.8%; (2) motivation to enter the workforce demonstrated a positive and significant influence on work readiness (tobserved = 4.827 > tcritical = 1.652), contributing 12.3%; and (3) simultaneously, FWP and motivation positively influenced work readiness (Fobserved = 127.411 > Fcritical = 3.04), with a combined effective contribution of 53.1%. These findings confirm that practical field experience and intrinsic motivation collectively constitute determining factors in alumni workforce readiness. The results underscore the imperative of strengthening school–industry partnerships to enhance FWP quality and implementing intensive career guidance programs to cultivate students’ work motivation from an early stage.

Keywords: work readiness; motivation to enter the workforce; field work practice; vocational competence