The Influence of Soft Skills and Hard Skills on the Competence of Vocational High School Graduate Students in the Field of Building Construction

Abstract

The Indonesian Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) released the unemployment rates in Indonesia in February 2020. The highest open unemployment rate (TPT) occurred in residents with Vocational High School (SMK) graduates, reaching 8.63%, followed by Diploma I/II/III and high school (SMA) levels, respectively 6.89% and 6.78%. This becomes very ironic because the aim of SMK is to produce competent graduates who are ready to work in the industrial world (DUDI). Therefore, SMK graduates are expected to have the competencies needed by DUDI. The purpose of this study was to determine soft skills competencies, and hard skills competencies required by the industry. This type of research is qualitative and the data collection technique is carried out by using questionnaires and focus group discussions with DUDI parties. Data analysis uses Affinity diagrams (K-J method), which makes it easier to analyze data from brainstorming. The results of this study can identify soft skill competencies: honest, thorough, able to solve, adaptable, able to work as a team, able to work under pressure while hard skill competencies: survey, mapping, drawing, structure and construction cost estimation, and project scheduling.