PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Vocational Competency Test (UKK) for vocational school students is an important determinant for students to prove the abilities they have honed over three years of study.

The principal of SMKN 14 Bandung, Dudi Rudiatna, said that UKK is not just a final exam, but the main instrument for measuring students' real skills.

"The most important thing isn't what students learn, but what they can do. The UKK is a testament to their abilities," he said when met at the school on Thursday (April 16, 2026).

He added that prior to the UKK, students had gone through a lengthy training and pre-UKK process. As a result, the majority of students were deemed skilled and capable of completing projects to standards. The resulting products not only served as grades but also served as portfolios that could be used when applying for jobs.

According to him, the next challenge is product marketing. To that end, through entrepreneurship lessons and the Teaching Factory (TEFA) program, students are guided to promote their work.

Through the TEFA program, students are encouraged to market their products, and some have even received orders from outside the organization. He cited, for example, students majoring in ceramic craft design and production who have received orders from friends and outside organizations.

"With TEFA, we guide them to become independent entrepreneurs, both through school facilities and independently at home," he added.

UKK at SMKN 14 Bandung

Meanwhile, the Deputy Principal for Curriculum, Arry Rulyawan, explained that the implementation of UKK in each department is project and portfolio-based.

Starting from vehicle painting in the automotive body repair engineering department, making typical Bandung batik in the textile design and craft production department, producing vases and glasses in the ceramic craft department, making decorative lamps and mirrors in the wood craft department, to making bags and shoes in the leather craft department which starts from imitation materials before using genuine leather.

In addition, animation students produce animated films, while graphic design and photography are tested directly by industry.

"This UKK measures students' final competencies before graduation, whether they are ready to enter the workforce or become entrepreneurs," he explained.

Arry explained that many students are already being scouted by industry before graduating. Some even undergo competency tests directly on the job because they were hired during their internship (PKL) period.

With industry involvement in the assessment process, the UKK also serves as a means of evaluating schools to ensure graduate competencies remain relevant to the needs of the workforce. (Apun)