Aligning Micro-Credentials With The Indonesian National Competency Standards (SKKNI) and Qualifications Framework (KKNI) For Mechanical Engineering Education: A Systematic Review

Ricky Cahyasari Putra, Rusdi Febriyanto, Ananda Yhuto Wibisono Putra

Abstract

Micro-credentials have emerged as a global instrument for recognising discrete competences, yet their uptake in Indonesian vocational education remains disconnected from the national competency architecture built on SKKNI and KKNI. This study maps the mechanisms through which micro-credentials are aligned with qualifications frameworks and competency standards, and synthesises an alignment pathway for mechanical engineering education. A systematic literature review following PRISMA 2020 was conducted on two Scopus strands: an international strand on credential-framework alignment (n = 32) and a national strand on SKKNI/KKNI implementation (n = 15). After deduplication and screening, 37 studies were synthesised using best-fit framework synthesis. The international corpus reveals five alignment mechanisms: learning-outcome anchoring, stackability and articulation, industry co-design, verifiable recognition infrastructure, and educator capability credentialing. The national corpus shows that SKKNI/KKNI research concentrates on curriculum referencing, competency testing, and teacher standards, but contains no study connecting micro-credentials to either instrument, and none in mechanical engineering. The article contributes a four-stage SKKNI-micro-credential alignment pathway comprising decomposition, outcome formulation, verifiable credentialing, and KKNI levelling as a design basis for micro-credential development in Indonesian vocational mechanical engineering programmes

Keywords

micro-credentials; SKKNI; KKNI; mechanical engineering education; systematic literature review

Full Text:

PDF

References

Adriadi, Yasin, M. N., & Mairizal (2025). Project Manager Competencies Determining Factors of High-Rise Building in Indonesia. In Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering (Vol. 632 LNCE, pp. 251–261). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-3804-8_22 Asfiyanur, E. P., Sumardi, K., Hamdani, A., & Abdullah, A. G. (2018). Requirement analysis of work competence of vocational graduates in heavy equipment industry. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering (Vol. 434, 012302). https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/434/1/012302 Carroll, C., Booth, A., & Cooper, K. (2011). A worked example of “best fit” framework synthesis: A systematic review of views concerning the taking of some potential chemopreventive agents. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 11, 29. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-11-29 Catenazzi, N., Sommaruga, L., De Angelis, K., & Caboni, S. (2025). A comprehensive methodology for curriculum development, training delivery and certification using learning outcomes and digital badges. Computers and Education Open, 8, 100248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeo.2025.100248 de la Torre, D., & Wells, R. S. (2014). Evolving statewide transfer policies: Persistent efforts in tension with workforce development among Massachusetts community colleges. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 22. https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.v22n20.2014 Giani, M., & Fox, H. L. (2017). Do stackable credentials reinforce stratification or promote upward mobility? An analysis of health professions pathways reform in a community college consortium. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 69(1), 100–122. https://doi.org/10.1080/13636820.2016.1238837 Gregg, A., Park, J., Fenton, C., Lang, D., & Handley, M. (2022). Exploring the 'Why' of Micro-Credentials and Digital Badges: Engineering Students' Motivations for and Perceived Utility of Learning Outside of Class. In Proceedings - Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE (Vol. 2022-October). https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE56618.2022.9962376 Hayes, S., & Rangus, M. (2026). Microcredentials for philosophic practice in tourism?. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Education, 38, 100600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2026.100600 Hutchins, N. M., Zhang, S., Barrett, J. R., & Israel, M. (2025). Empowering Educators in AI: Insights from Co-Designing an AI Microcredential with and for K-12 Educators. In Proceedings of the AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence (Vol. 39, pp. 29137–29144). https://doi.org/10.1609/aaai.v39i28.35186 Kemcha, R., Alario-Hoyos, C., & Kloos, C. D. (2025). Enhancing Microcredential Design through Agentic Artificial Intelligence. In 2025 IEEE Digital Education and MOOCS Conference, DEMOcon 2025. https://doi.org/10.1109/DEMOcon65705.2025.11282676 Khan, F., Qubbaj, A., Saenz, L., & Zhang, L. (2023). A Bridged Cybersecurity Curriculum with Embedded Stackable Credentials. In ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. Retrieved from https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85172150828 Kimmel, H. S., Rockland, R. H., Carpinelli, J. D., & Spak, G. T. (2022). Effective Instructional Practices in Continuing Engineering Education. In Continuing Engineering Education Handbook (pp. 89–127). Retrieved from https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85139328005 Kinney, M. B., Highum, M., Sergeyev, A., & Kuhl, S. A. (2018). Addressing rural industry and student needs through the manufacturing of a community college and university partnership in mechatronics and robotics systems. In ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings (Vol. 2018-June). Retrieved from https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85051213918 Kinney, M. B., Sergeyev, A., Kuhl, S. A., & Highum, M. N. (2016). Creating pathways to stackable credentials in robotics: Meeting industry needs by manufacturing a community college and university partnership. In ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings (Vol. 2016-June). Retrieved from https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84983319530 Kullaslahti, J., Ruhalahti, S., & Brauer, S. (2019). Professional development of digital competences: Standardised frameworks supporting evolving digital badging practices. Journal of Siberian Federal University - Humanities and Social Sciences, 12(2), 175–186. https://doi.org/10.17516/1997-1370-0387 Lubis, M. Z., Sari, L. R., Chayati, S. N., Rassarandi, F. D., Irawan, S., Anurogo, W., … Jamjareegulgarn, P. (2025). Development of Geomatics Technology Curriculum for Associate Degree Programs within Project-Based Learning (PBL). In Proceedings - 2025 10th International STEM Education Conference, iSTEM-Ed 2025. https://doi.org/10.1109/iSTEM-Ed65612.2025.11129410 Mandalika, I. M., Sukardi, & Minghat, A. D. (2018). Characteristics of electricity competency test at vocational high school. International Journal of Engineering and Technology(UAE), 7(4), 144–148. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i4.33.23519 Marwiyah, & Apriyani, D. (2018). SPA (Solus per Aqua) service industry: An entrepeneurship opportunity to beauty education department. In AIP Conference Proceedings (Vol. 1941, 020015). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5028073 Mugayitoglu, B., Borowczak, M., & Burrows, A. C. (2021). Designing a Creative Cybersecurity Microcredential for Educators: Challenges and Successes of K-12 Teacher Professional Development. In ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. Retrieved from https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85124522135 Nilasari, Y., & Dasining (2018). Curriculum Development Based on INQF and Business/Industries Sector for Improvement Competency of Basic Pattern Making Students at Vocational High School. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering (Vol. 336, 012029). https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/336/1/012029 Oroh, R. R., Runtuwene, J. P. A., Tumanduk, M. S. S., & Palilingan, V. R. (2020). Relevance of student productive skills competencies based on construction services needs. In International Journal of Innovation and Learning (Vol. 28, pp. 4–11). https://doi.org/10.1504/IJIL.2020.108463 Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71 Park, J. J., Conklin, S., & Sankaranarayanan, R. (2025). Empowering lifelong learners: the role of digital badges and microlearning in mastering emerging technologies. In Andragogy in Practice: Case Studies on Innovation in Adult Learning (pp. 95–105). https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032626000-10 Peraturan Menteri Ketenagakerjaan Republik Indonesia Nomor 2 Tahun 2016 tentang Sistem Standardisasi Kompetensi Kerja Nasional. (2016). Jakarta: Kementerian Ketenagakerjaan Republik Indonesia Peraturan Presiden Republik Indonesia Nomor 8 Tahun 2012 tentang Kerangka Kualifikasi Nasional Indonesia. (2012). Jakarta: Sekretariat Negara Republik Indonesia Rebola, F., Carvalho, L., Marchão, A., Ferreira, P., & Castanho, R. (2025). Digital Learning Ecosystems and Pedagogical Innovation in Higher Education – Emerging Perspectives on Teaching Practice. In Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems (Vol. 1694 LNNS, pp. 459–469). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-09080-5_45 Rüütmann, T., & Läänemets, U. (2025). Synthesis of Best Practices in Curriculum Design for Engineering Educators’ Pedagogical Training. In Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems (Vol. 1261 LNNS, pp. 361–372). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-85649-5_35 Saad, A., Haziq Bin Abdul Jamal, M., & Roshidi Bin Amran, A. (2024). Before the Badge: Tackling Initial Hurdles in Integrating Micro-Credentials at Institutes of Higher Learning. In Proceedings of the 2024 18th International Conference on Ubiquitous Information Management and Communication, IMCOM 2024. https://doi.org/10.1109/IMCOM60618.2024.10418405 Salmon, M. (2023). Drivers of the global push for microcredentials in higher education: flexibility and employability in contemporary university systems. Perspectives: Policy and Practice in Higher Education, 27(4), 179–187. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603108.2023.2229767 Septama, H. D., Ferdiana, R., & Permanasari, A. E. (2026). Design and Evaluation of a Competency-Grounded RAG Pipeline for Role-Based Software Engineering Education. In Proceedings - 2026 International Conference on Current Research in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, ICCRAIDS 2026. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCRAIDS67816.2026.11519677 Smith, C. J. M., & Kálmán, A. (2023). How can continuing engineering education approaches meet societal and industry needs for future-focused, lifelong learning skills and competences?. In SEFI 2023 - 51st Annual Conference of the European Society for Engineering Education: Engineering Education for Sustainability, Proceedings (pp. 3255–3261). https://doi.org/10.21427/6VN5-HF41 Stankovski, V. (2025). Microcredentials for microcompetences in education. In Proceedings of the International Conferences on Mobile Learning 2025 and Educational Technologies 2025 (pp. 259–262). Retrieved from https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105003428763 Tubino, L., & Zaidi, N. (2026). One Credential, Many Journeys: Persona-Aligned Assessment for Postgraduate Microcredentials in Emerging Technologies. In ACE 2026 - Proceedings of the 28th Australasian Computing Education Conference (pp. 131–137). https://doi.org/10.1145/3786228.3786248 Umam, M. F., Susilo, J., Purba, D. P., & Adityatama, D. W. (2020). Design of Geothermal Drilling Training Curriculum as the Implementation of the National Competence Standard on Onshore Drilling. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 417, 012016). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/417/1/012016 Uusimaki, L. (2025). Piloting competence-based digital open badges: EduSTA project - Sweden. In Immersive Learning in Teacher Education: Simulated Environments, Tools, and Practices (pp. 311–336). https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-9861-6.ch010 Ward, R., Phillips, O., Bowers, D., Crick, T., Davenport, J. H., Hanna, P., … Prickett, T. (2021). Towards a 21st century personalised learning skills taxonomy. In IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, EDUCON (Vol. 2021-April, pp. 344–354). https://doi.org/10.1109/EDUCON46332.2021.9453883 Widaningsih, L., Maknun, J., Dwiyanti, V., Ramdanisari, A., & Muktiarni, M. (2025). Analysis of Developing Digital Education Competence Standards for Technical and Vocational Teachers. Journal of Technical Education and Training, 17(4), 32–41. https://doi.org/10.30880/jtet.2025.17.04.003 Widaningsih, L., Rahayu, S., Dwiyanti, V., Widanengsih, W., & Muktiarni (2025). Analysis and Mapping of Technical Competency Needs for TVET Teachers in the Era of Industry 4.0. Journal of Technical Education and Training, 17(2), 151–164. https://doi.org/10.30880/jtet.2025.17.02.011 Wosczyna-Birch, K. (2018). Resources and Partnerships in Community College Manufacturing Technology Programs. In MRS Advances (Vol. 3, pp. 619–622). https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2018.75 Yuniarti, N., Pramono, H. S., & Anggraenni, S. (2018). Learning Evaluation on Industrial Automation Field with CIPP Model. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 1140, 012007). https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1140/1/012007 Zamtinah, & Supriyadi, E. (2018). Developing the Indonesian Qualifications Framework's descriptors for Electrical Engineering as the basis of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 1140, 012025). https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1140/1/012025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20961/nozel.v9i2.124283

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.