The Effect of Career Adaptability on Work Readiness among Vocational High School Students

Abstract

Work readiness is an essential competency that vocational high school students need to successfully transition from education to employment. However, many vocational students still experience difficulties in preparing for the workforce due to limited career planning, low self-confidence, and inadequate understanding of workplace demands. One psychological factor that may contribute to students' work readiness is career adaptability. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effect of career adaptability on work readiness among students of SMK Tunas Bangsa.This study employed a quantitative approach using a correlational survey design. The participants were 43 students of SMK Tunas Bangsa selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS) and a Work Readiness Scale. The reliability analysis indicated that both instruments demonstrated excellent internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.912. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and simple linear regression with the assistance of IBM SPSS Statistics version 25.The results revealed that career adaptability had a positive and significant effect on work readiness (β = 0.759, t = 7.556, p < .001). The regression analysis showed that students with higher levels of career adaptability tended to demonstrate higher levels of work readiness. These findings indicate that the ability to anticipate future career challenges, make career-related decisions, explore occupational opportunities, and maintain confidence in facing career-related tasks plays an important role in enhancing students’ readiness for employment.In conclusion, career adaptability is a significant predictor of work readiness among vocational high school students. The findings highlight the importance of integrating career adaptability development into school counseling and career guidance programs to better prepare students for successful transitions into the workforce.

Keywords: career adaptability, work readiness, vocational high school students, career guidance, school-to-work transition