The Impact of Internship Programs on Formal Vocational Education in Indonesia

Abstract

Living a life requires many things to meet needs for the present, tomorrow, next week, next month, and even for the future. One fundamental factor that can support meeting life's needs and facilitate a smoother life is education. In brief, education provides new knowledge, shapes personal character for the better, and eases the path to a brighter future for all individuals pursuing formal and non-formal education, which benefits themselves, society, and the nation. After completing primary and junior high school education, one can continue to pursue secondary and higher education (bachelor's, postgraduate, professional, and vocational education). Internship becomes a mandatory aspect in vocational education as it serves as an introduction to the industry and the world of work. Vocational education emphasizes structured learning, skills, and more directed expertise. Therefore, this research aims to determine students' readiness to participate in internship programs, the benefits derived from internships, and the impact of internships on both students and vocational education. This research employs the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method. The results indicate that job readiness involves the development of students' work-related attitudes, values, knowledge, and skills, and internships are highly necessary to train students to become accustomed to real workplace conditions and environments.