Technical Skill Development for Vocational High School Students through Practical Training in Geodetic GPS Instrumentation

Abstract

The geodetic GPS training program is a form of community service aimed at enhancing the technical competencies of vocational high school students in the fields of surveying and mapping. This initiative was driven by the students’ limited ability to operate modern geospatial measuring instruments, which are essential in today’s industrial sector. The partner institution in this program was SMK Negeri 1 Takalar, targeting Grade XI and XII students from the DPIB (Building Drawing and Information Design) department. The program was conducted using an experiential learning approach, consisting of brief theoretical sessions, field practices, and a mini project involving the creation of a GPS-based map. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in students’ understanding of basic GNSS concepts and their practical skills in collecting and processing coordinate data. Post-test scores increased by 63% compared to the pre-test, and all student groups successfully completed simple mapping projects independently. This training also enhanced students’ self-confidence and positively impacted their job readiness. These findings indicate that hands-on, practice-based training is highly effective in bridging the competency gap between vocational education and industry needs, and it should be continued through more advanced and structured training programs.