Project–Based Learning At Vocational School of Machinery and Construction Engineering Through the Center of Excellence Program

Abstract

The project-based learning (PjBL) method exposes students to real-world situations at DUDIKA (Business World, Industrial World, and World of Work). The adoption of PjBL is projected to prepare graduates to compete in the 4.0 century's industrial transformation. The establishment of the Vocational Center of Excellence (CoE) is the government's approach for establishing a vocational high school capable of producing graduates who meet DUDIKA requirements. The research on the PjBL implementation in the machining and construction sectors through the CoE program aims to examine the following: (1) preparation for PjBL through the CoE program, (2) implementation of PjBL in CoE Vocational Schools, and (3) project evaluation. The research strategy employed was a qualitative approach with a multi-case study design. Veterans Vocational School 1 Tulungagung, Muhammadiyah 7 Gondanglegi Vocational School, and PGRI 1 Gresik Vocational School were taken as research sites. The findings indicated that: 1) vocational high school and DUDIKA prepared PjBL for the center of excellence program; 2) vocational high school and DUDIKA implemented PjBL at CoE Vocational Schools, including: PjBL implementation on practical subjects, the role of vocational high school teachers and DUDIKA experts in implementing PjBL, and the importance of jobsheets in the implementation of PjBL.