Digital Tracer Study Transformation for Teacher Empowerment and Alumni Employability at SMK Kartika XX-1 Makassar

Abstract

Digital transformation in vocational education is essential to improve graduate quality and align curricula with labor market demands. One key instrument supporting this process is the tracer study; however, its implementation in many schools remains manual, unsystematic, and lacks digital integration. This community service program aimed to enhance the capacity of teachers at SMK Kartika XX-1 Makassar in managing digital tracer studies, enabling more effective alumni data collection and analysis. The program was conducted through five stages: socialization, training, technology implementation, mentoring, and evaluation. A total of 20 participants were directly appointed by the principal, consisting of department operators and homeroom teachers from eight departments. Pre-test and post-test results indicated an overall improvement in teachers’ understanding, though variations existed among individuals. Questionnaire results further showed that most participants found the material easy to understand, confirmed that the resource persons delivered the content systematically, and felt more confident conducting tracer study socialization with students and alumni. The program also produced sustainable outputs, including a school tracer study website and an internal tracer study team. Overall, this activity not only improved teachers’ digital literacy but also strengthened data-driven vocational education governance to support greater alumni employability.