Implementation of project-based learning method to increase transferable skills of vocational high school students

Instead of reducing the unemployment rate, Center Berau of Statistic (BPS) 2018 data shows that Vocational High School (SMK) graduates contribute high to the number of unemployed in Indonesia. The high number of unemployed is partly due to the low technical skills and transferable skills of students. Transferable skills are considered very important to strengthen and complement technical skills, amid the disruption of the world of work in the industrial era 4.0. In order to strengthen transferable skills, innovative learning methods are needed, which involve active student participation. The One Group Pretest-Posttest experimental research was conducted to find out the increase in transferable skills of SMK X students in the Building Design and Information Design Study Program (DPIB), through the implementation of project-based learning methods. The results of the gain index analysis, hypothesis testing, and observation results indicate that the application of project-based learning methods can improve the transferable skills of vocational students.