2018, Highest Unemployment Rate Among Vocational High School Graduates

Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency, the unemployment rate among Vocational High School (SMK) graduates is the highest compared to graduates from other educational levels. In August 2018, the unemployment rate for SMK graduates reached 11.25%. This is higher than the 8.92% in February 2018 but lower than the 11.41% in August 2017.

The unemployment rate for SMK graduates is higher than that of graduates from equivalent educational levels, namely Senior High School (SMA) and other graduates, as shown in the graph below. In August 2018, the unemployment rate for university graduates was 5.89%, diploma graduates 6.02%, SMA graduates 7.95%, junior high school (SMP) graduates 4.8%, and elementary school (SD) graduates 2.43%.

The high unemployment rate among SMK graduates is due to an imbalance between industrial absorption capacity and the number of SMK graduates entering the workforce. Furthermore, many teachers lack expertise in their teaching fields, particularly in vocational skills training. Currently, many SMK teachers possess only theoretical knowledge. Therefore, breakthroughs are needed to produce teachers with expertise in specific fields, such as agriculture, maritime, creative economy, and information technology.

(Read Databoks: Indonesian Workforce Since 1986)