Management in Vocational Schools in the Shipping Sector: Analysis of the Role of Leaders as Leaders in Improving the Quality of Education and Training

This research aims to analyze the role of leaders in educational management in vocational schools, especially in the shipping sector, with a focus on improving the quality of education relevant to the maritime industry's needs. This research aims to examine the role of leaders in educational management at vocational schools in the shipping sector, focusing on efforts to improve the quality of graduates ready to meet the demands of the maritime industry. Vocational education in the shipping sector faces unique challenges, such as demands for special technical skills, compliance with international safety standards, and adaptation to modern technological developments in navigation and ship operations. With the challenges of globalization and the increasing need for skilled labor in the shipping sector, shipping vocational schools must be able to produce graduates who have technical skills and character and are ready to face industry demands. This research uses a qualitative case study approach at a leading shipping vocational school in Indonesia. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with school principals, teaching staff, and industrial partners in the maritime sector. The research results show that leaders at shipping vocational schools have a strategic role in developing industry-based curricula, managing adequate training facilities, increasing the competency of teaching staff, and strengthening partnership relationships with shipping companies. Analysis of research results reveals that effective leaders in shipping vocational schools carry out several strategic roles, namely- (1) developing competency-based curricula that are in line with industry standards, (2) providing adequate training infrastructure, including simulators and training vessels, (3) strengthening teacher competencies and skills through training and certification programs, and (4) building strategic partnerships with shipping companies to support internship programs and graduate absorption. Effective LeadershipLeadership has been proven to improve the quality of education and the relevance of graduates to the job market's needs. Leadership that is oriented toward collaboration and innovation has a positive impact on the quality of education, graduate skills, and the competitiveness of shipping vocational schools. It is hoped that the implications of this research can become a reference for the development of leadership-based vocational education management in the shipping sector to produce superior graduates who are in line with the needs of the maritime industry. It is hoped that the implications of the results of this research can be a guide for shipping vocational schools in implementing leadership-based educational management strategies to achieve quality standards that meet the demands of the maritime industry.