Education for Environmental Sustainability: Does the Vocational High School Industrial Internship Program Develop Students’ Green Innovation Skills?

The attempt to improve the quality of human life can be instilled in the educational environment to realize environmental sustainability. This study aims to analyze the industrial internship program in developing Green Innovation skills of vocational students. The research method uses a qualitative descriptive study with data collection techniques through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation. The unit of observation and unit of analysis consisted of students as internship practitioners, teachers accompanying internships, as well as employees and managers of private hotels as one of the industrial internship sites. The data analysis technique used Spradley’s domain analysis. The results showed that the development of students’ green innovation skills can be formed through an industrial internship program, even before the internship has been implemented circular economy habituation in learning and extracurricular practices. Green innovation skills of students from the technical side include: smart digital solutions, sustainable products and services designer, circular economy expert, green business management, process automation for waste management. While in terms of general skills, among others: Creative, initiative, communication, teamwork, entrepreneurial competence, open mindset, protecting the environment, problem solving, use of technology and machinery, mastery of competencies according to field of expertise. The implication of this research is that synergy between students, teachers, industry and government is needed to work together in maintaining a healthy environment for the next generation in realizing the practice of environmental sustainability through education.