East Java Education Agency Reveals Strategy Behind Fourth Consecutive National Vocational Student Competition Win

The East Java Provincial Education Agency has revealed the vocational education coaching strategy that led the East Java contingent to become the overall champion of the National Secondary Education Student Skills Competition (LKS Dikmen) for the fourth consecutive time from 2023 to 2026. “Our target is clear: to deliver the best results at the national level. Therefore, all preparations must be carried out meticulously, measurably, and continuously evaluated,” said Head of the East Java Education Agency Aries Agung Paewai in Surabaya on Tuesday. At the 2026 National LKS Dikmen, East Java secured 30 medals, consisting of 18 gold, seven silver, and five bronze. Aries explained that the success was not due to the home-ground advantage, but rather the result of systematic and sustainable coaching. The strategy begins with tiered selections to identify the best students from all regencies and cities across East Java. “We do not just look at the number of medals won, but we evaluate each competition category. We study which aspects are already strong, where the participants’ weaknesses lie, and how competitors from other provinces are developing,” he said. Selected participants then undergo a centralised training camp lasting one to three months. The training is conducted at schools, training institutions, and facilities provided by the business and industrial world, focusing on precision, speed, creativity, and completing tasks according to industry standards. The Education Agency also involves industry practitioners, technical experts, and former participants and champions of WorldSkills in the assessment and competition simulation process. Participants are accustomed to facing ‘mystery box’ challenges so they can adapt to new problems during the actual competition. “The test materials we prepare must closely approximate national standards, including the presence of mystery boxes. Industry experts and former WorldSkills champions also apply high standards. From this process, we can determine the best participants who are truly ready to represent East Java,” Aries said. Beyond technical skills, mental fortitude is a primary focus, built through competition simulations with time limits and pressure levels that mirror national conditions. “Participants must possess both skills and a champion’s mentality. High technical ability must be accompanied by composure, the courage to make decisions, discipline, and self-confidence when in the competition arena,” Aries stated. He affirmed that this achievement is evidence of the competence of students and productive teachers at East Java’s vocational secondary schools, as well as motivation to continue improving the quality of vocational education so that graduates can compete at both national and global levels.