From theory to reality: A qualitative exploration of entrepreneurial attitudes and intention among vocational students using CBT-based learning

Abstract

The growing demand for entrepreneurial graduates has positioned vocational education as a frequently prescribed method for promoting self-employment among youth. Competency-based training is adopted within vocational high schools in Indonesia to increase applied skills and entrepreneurial potential among students. Therefore, this present study aims to explore how competency-based training influences entrepreneurial attitudes and intentions among vocational high school graduates. This study adopted a qualitative approach, and data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 16 vocational schools from various disciplines. The findings indicate that competency-based training drives the development of entrepreneurial attitudes, with the enhancement of self-efficacy and opportunity recognition. Additionally, this study shows that competency-based training and teacher feedback transformed perceptions of entrepreneurship from theory to action. However, the transition from intention to action was constrained by internal challenges faced by vocational high school graduates, such as low confidence and limited business knowledge, as well as external barriers like capital access and lack of mentorship. The results contribute to both theory and practice by explaining how mastery experiences and social modeling embedded in competency-based training influence entrepreneurial mindset formation among graduates. This contribution clarifies learning processes supporting entrepreneurial development and offers practical insights for designing vocational programs aligned with workforce and self-employment expectations.