A Support System-Based Approach to Career Guidance: Evidence of Effectiveness in Vocational Higher Education

Abstract

Career guidance is essential in vocational higher education, yet conventional approaches often remain limited to information dissemination and fail to meet students’ diverse needs in the context of Industry 4.0 and Society 5.0. These limitations lead to skill mismatches and low confidence among graduates entering the workforce. This study, titled “A Support System-Based Approach to Career Guidance: Evidence of Effectiveness in Vocational Higher Education,” aimed to examine the effectiveness of a support system-based career guidance model in enhancing students’ career knowledge, decision-making abilities, and job readiness. Using a quasi-experimental design with a nonequivalent control group, 61 students from Universitas Ekasakti, Indonesia, were divided into an experimental group (n = 30) that received structured support system guidance and a control group (n = 31) that followed traditional methods. Data were collected through pre- and post-tests on career knowledge and decision-making, complemented by a 15-item survey measuring engagement and self-awareness. The experimental group achieved significantly higher post-test scores (M = 90,83) than the control group (M = 81,94), with p < 0,001. The gain score of the experimental group (23,10) also exceeded that of the control group (13,88), and ANCOVA indicated that the intervention explained 32,7 % of the variance in post-test results. The findings confirm that integrating mentoring, peer collaboration, and digital platforms within a structured support system effectively improves students’ career readiness and provides a replicable model for strengthening employability outcomes in vocational higher education.