The Effect of Extracurricular Activities on Soft Skill Development of Vocational School Students in Jakarta

Abstract

Abstract. This study aims to examine the effect of extracurricular activities on the development of soft skills among vocational school students in Jakarta. Amid increasing demands for non-technical skills in the workplace such as communication, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability extracurricular activities offer a potential avenue for character and competence development. Using a quantitative descriptive approach, data were collected through questionnaires distributed to 61 students from a vocational high school who actively participated in various extracurricular programs. The instrument passed both validity and reliability testing, with a Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.893, indicating high internal consistency. Results showed a strong tendency among students to agree that their involvement in extracurricular activities contributed positively to their soft skill improvement. The most developed aspects included communication, cooperation, initiative, and responsibility. These findings underscore the strategic role of well-managed extracurricular programs in supporting students’ holistic development and provide insights for educators and policy makers to enhance extracurricular implementation in vocational schools.