UNAIR NEWS (UNAIR) Faculty of Vocational Studies (FV) recently hosted an international conference titled Enhancing Career Development and Entrepreneurship through Vocational Education in the Digital Era. Held on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at the Majapahit Hall on the 5th floor of ASEEC Tower at UNAIRs Dharmawangsa-B Campus, the conference featured Prof. Iman Harymawan PhD, among its speakers. Prof. Iman addressed the role of vocational education in promoting sustainable business practices in todays digital landscape.
Prof. Harymawan outlined three key factors driving business sustainability: environmental factor, social factor, and governance factor. The environmental factor underscores corporate commitment to protecting the natural surroundings by avoiding actions that harm the environment. The social factor emphasizes the importance of safeguarding workers’ rights.
The governance factor centers on ethical and effective business operations. A company that maintains sustainable practices creates opportunities for employees to grow, improves overall welfare, and cultivates an inclusive workplace, he said.
The Importance of vocational education programs
To support sustainable business, companies face the ongoing challenge of developing a skilled workforce. Qualified human resources are essential to sustainability, underscoring the need for an education system that combines learning with workforce training to produce job-ready graduates. Vocational education fulfills this demand by blending academic instruction with practical training.
Prof. Harymawan emphasized five key advantages of vocational programs (diploma) compared to traditional bachelors programs. Vocational programs offer five main benefits: a stronger focus on skill-building, faster transition to the workforce due to shorter study durations, alignment with industry needs, diverse career paths tailored to individual interests, and increased job readiness, he noted.
Alongside these advantages, vocational education also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 4, which advocates for quality education. Vocational programs help boost the number of individuals with skills directly relevant to industry demands, a priority supported by ongoing partnerships between universities and the business sector to develop a highly skilled workforce in Indonesia.
Key skills for vocational graduates
Graduates of vocational programs need to master a set of essential skills before entering the professional world. Prof. Harymawan emphasized that these skills will be critical for navigating future workplace demands.
To adapt to the jobs of tomorrow, graduates need a deep understanding of the technical skills required by their prospective employers. These technical skills should be complemented by internal personal abilities, such as communication, teamwork dynamics, and critical thinking. Aspiring professionals should also be aware of sustainability issues and continuously strive to improve the quality of their work, he concluded.
Author: Selly Imeldha
Editor: Edwin Fatahuddin
