Fostering Green Skills in Vocational Students: The Impact of Learning Environment, Attitudes, and Competence
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23917/ijolae.v8i1.11746Keywords:
advanced vocational education, cognitive competencies, educational innovation, environmental attitudes, green skills, learning environmentAbstract
Vocational education plays a crucial role in preparing a workforce that is adaptable to the demands of sustainable development. However, the green skills of vocational school students are still classified as moderate to low, indicating a gap between knowledge and sustainability practices. This research aims to analyse the influence of the learning environment, environmental attitudes, and cognitive competencies on the green skills of vocational school students. The study employs a quantitative approach with a correlational descriptive method, involving 60 students from the construction engineering program selected through simple random sampling. The instrument, in the form of a Likert scale questionnaire, was tested for validity and reliability and analysed using multiple linear regression. The identification results showed that 87% of students have a positive perception of the learning environment, 60% have a good environmental attitude, 22% demonstrate high cognitive competence, and 55% fall into the fairly good category. Statistically, environmental attitude has the most dominant influence (β = .659, p = .000), followed by the learning environment (β = .286, p = .027) and cognitive competence (β = .286, p = .039). The R² value of .761 indicates that the three variables affect students' green skills by 76.1%. These findings imply the importance of transforming vocational learning through the integration of a green curriculum, strengthening sustainable pedagogy, and collaborating with the green industry
Downloads
References
Ahmat Zainuri, N., Abd-Rahman, N., Halim, L., Chan, M. Y., & Mohd Bazari, N. N. (2022). Measuring pro-environmental behavior triggered by environmental values. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(23), 16013. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316013
Azahar, R., Saputra, B., Saputri, A. N., Naosis, A. R. M., & Insani, N. (2024). Implementasi program magang desa berbasis lingkungan: Edukasi pilah sampah berbantuan alat peraga dan pusat pembenihan sayuran. Jurnal Mandala Pengabdian Masyarakat, 5(2), 229–238. https://doi.org/10.35311/jmpm.v5i2.410
Banerjee, S., & Palit, D. (2024). "Green technology”— Efficient solution toward environmental management in 21st century. In Ecosystem Management (pp. 327–352). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394231249.ch10
Bozkus Kahyaoglu, S. (2025). The green education and training architecture for the green economy. In Greening Our Economy for a Sustainable Future (pp. 187–196). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-23603-7.00015-7
Breit, M., Scherrer, V., Tucker-Drob, E. M., & Preckel, F. (2024). The stability of cognitive abilities: A meta-analytic review of longitudinal studies. Psychological Bulletin, 150(4), 399–439. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000425
Cahyadi, T., Barasa, L., Riyanto, R., Winarno, W., Suranta, N., Simanjuntak, M., Soritua Sijabat, P., Ari Wibowo, T., & Bernadtua Simanjuntak, M. (2025). Empowering maritime vocational schools for sustainable leadership in port and shipping practices. In D. Buchori, N. P. Zamani, R. A. Kinseng, S. D. Tarigan, H. Alatas, A. M. Fauzi, & Y. Sugandi (Eds.), BIO Web of Conferences (Vol. 175, p. 03002). EDP Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/202517503002
Chandrasekar, B., Ranjan Thakur, R., & Setyorini, D. (2023). Vocational and skill training systems in India and Indonesia: A comparative analysis with an application to green sector skills. In Private Sector Development in an Emerging World (pp. 143–160). De Gruyter. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111071251-010
Chen, P. (2025). Green skills in logistics vocational education: A comparative study of curriculum integration in China and Germany. International Journal of Training and Development, 29(2), 124–139. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijtd.12348
Cheng, C.-C., Huang, K.-H., & Lin, Y.-K. (2023). Facilitating sustainable development of preschools: A system thinking training project in Taiwan. Problems of Education in the 21st Century, 81(5), 598–611. https://doi.org/10.33225/pec/23.81.598
Chopra, J., & Muddgal, A. (2019). Science education as driving transformations to sustainable and safe future. Journal of Advanced Research in Dynamical and Control Systems, 11(4), 2157–2161.
Davim, J. P. (2025). Sustainable development goals: A bibliometric analysis. Journal of Sustainability Research, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.20900/jsr20250008
Ermakov, D. S. (2021). Sustainability as a driver for vocational education and competitiveness. International Scientific and Practical Forum on Industry Competitiveness: Digitalization, Management, and Integration, 760–767. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80485-5_87
Erni, N., Azahar, R., & Abdulloh, A. (2024). Peningkatan aktivitas dan hasil belajar siswa melalui penerapan model pembelajaran project based learning di sekolah menengah kejuruan. Jurnal Riset Dan Inovasi Pembelajaran, 4(1), 606–618. https://doi.org/10.51574/jrip.v4i1.1414
Fatihatussa’adah, I., Yamtinah, S., Ariani, S. R. D., Wiyarsi, A., Widarti, H. R., Shidiq, A. S., & Abrori, F. M. (2024). Fostering collaboration and enhancing student learning achievement through the integration of ethnoscience in the Common Knowledge Construction Model with podcast media. Indonesian Journal on Learning and Advanced Education (IJOLAE), 295-314.
Fawehinmi, O., Yusliza, M. Y., Ogbeibu, S., Tanveer, M. I., & Chiappetta Jabbour, C. J. (2022). Academic employees’ green behaviour as praxis for bolstering environmental sustainable development: A linear moderated mediation evaluation. Business Strategy and the Environment, 31(7), 3470–3490. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3095
Fernández, Y. L. H., López, S. M. P., Gómez, D. L. D., & Sánchez-Torres, J. A. (2023). Analysis of the ecological attitude and sustainable behavior of students: A green campus model, the case of the University of Medellín, Colombia. Journal of Teacher Education for Sustainability, 25(2), 21–34. https://doi.org/10.2478/jtes-2023-0014
Fitriyanto, M. N., Triyono, M. B., & Saijo. (2023). Development green skills through 6R work culture concept. AIP Conference Proceedings, 040010. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0106326
Flek, M. B., & Ugnich, E. A. (2021). Development of the vocational education ecosystem of an enterprise: The role of advanced learning technologies. In Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems (pp. 1659–1669). Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59126-7_181
Frank, P., Henkel, G., & Lysgaard, J. A. (2024). Between evidence and delusion – A scoping review of cognitive biases in Environmental and sustainability education. Environmental Education Research, 30(9), 1477–1499. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2024.2371507
Guevara-Herrero, I., Bravo-Torija, B., & Pérez-Martín, J. M. (2024). Educational practice in education for environmental justice: A systematic review of the literature. Sustainability, 16(7), 2805. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072805
Haloho, A. A., Pardjono, Saputro, I. N., Suyitno, & Ariwibowo, B. (2023). Implementation of green skills in vocational Education: Perceptions about students’ and teachers’ behavioral activities. Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pengajaran, 56(1), 65–79. https://doi.org/10.23887/jpp.v56i1.57990
Hidalgo-Crespo, J., Velastegui-Montoya, A., Amaya-Rivas, J. L., Soto, M., & Riel, A. (2023). The role of personality in the adoption of pro-environmental behaviors through the lens of the value-belief-norm theory. Sustainability, 15(17), 12803. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151712803
Hudayberganov, D., Troitskaya, E., Rozhok, A., Hurgin, R., Pozdeeva, T., Latipova, U., & Ukolova, L. (2025). Formation of ecological worldview among students: Theoretical approaches and practical aspects. International Journal of Ecosystems and Ecology Science (IJEES), 15(1), 321–328. https://doi.org/10.31407/ijees15.136
Ismail, A., Zainal, A., Rohanai, R., Rozali, M. Z., Razali, S. S., & Ghani, S. F. A. A. (2023). Green competency elements for employees of the automotive manufacturing industry. AIP Conference Proceedings, 020035. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0181415
Kamilah, S., Budi, A. H. S., & Purnama, W. (2020). Analysis of the relevance between Vocational High School competencies and the needs of the industrial sector on Computer and Network Engineering Competencies. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 850(1), 012061. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/850/1/012061
Kamis, A., Herrera, L. M., Montenegro, P. L. Y., Alwi, A., Nashir, I. M., Kob, C. G. C., & Kiong, T. T. (2020). Modified Delphi technique in analysing contents of green skills module for design and technology subject. Journal of Technical Education and Training, 12(1), 49–56. https://doi.org/10.30880/jtet.2020.12.01.005
Khalid Malik, M. S., Qi, Z., Iqbal, M., Zamir, S., & Fatima Malik, B. (2023). Education for sustainable development: Secondary school teacher’s awareness and perception of integration. Sustainable Development, 31(3), 1515–1525. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2463
Kioupi, V., & Voulvoulis, N. (2022). Education for sustainable development as the catalyst for local transitions toward the sustainable development goals. Frontiers in Sustainability, 3, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2022.889904
Kühner, C., Stein, M., & Zacher, H. (2024). A person-environment fit approach to environmental sustainability in the workplace. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 95, 102270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102270
Lemoine, P. A., Mense, E. G., & Richardson, M. D. (2014). Green school principals: Making the connection among student achievement, healthy school environments, and project-based learning. In Marketing the Green School: Form, Function, and the Future (pp. 144–154). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-6312-1.ch010
Lotz-Sisitka, H., & Ramsarup, P. (2019). Green skills research: Implications for systems, policy, work and learning. In Green Skills Research in South Africa (pp. 208–223). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429279362-14
Maknun, J., S. Barliana, M., Cahyani, D., Dalil H., N., & Dahar Minghat, A. (2018). Evaluation of vocational school (SMK) students environmental literacy. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7(4), 178–181. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i4.33.23554
Mardatillah, O., & Prayudha.S, J. (2024). The importance of critical thinking skill to vocational students: Strategies and benefits. VOCATECH: Vocational Education and Technology Journal, 5(2), 115–125. https://doi.org/10.38038/vocatech.v5i2.136
Mesuwini, J., Ganya, E. S., & Mlotshwa, S. J. (2025). Greening initiatives for TVET colleges through innovative curriculum and technology. In AI Smart-Enabled Architecture and Infrastructure for Higher Education (pp. 297–332). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-8915-7.ch012
Mukunda Vani, M., Baig, Y. M., Wesley, C., & Iqbal, S. R. (2021). Sustainable project-based learning: A more practical approach. Journal of Engineering Education Transformations, 34, 718. https://doi.org/10.16920/jeet/2021/v34i0/157172
Mulà, I., & Tilbury, D. (2023). Teacher education for sustainability: Current practice and outstanding challenges. Avances de Investigación En Educación Matemática, 23, 5–18. https://doi.org/10.35763/aiem23.5414
Murphy, C., Smith, G., Mallon, B., & Redman, E. (2020). Teaching about sustainability through inquiry-based science in Irish primary classrooms: The impact of a professional development programme on teacher self-efficacy, competence and pedagogy. Environmental Education Research, 26(8), 1112–1136. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2020.1776843
Mutohhari, F., Sudira, P., Pardjono, P., Suyitno, S., Warju, W., Isnantyo, F. D., & Majid, N. W. A. (2025). Generic green skills: Maturity level of vocational education teachers and students in Indonesia. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education (IJERE), 14(1), 179. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v14i1.29191
Neves, A. J. R., & Ribeiro, F. (2024). Enhancing engineering education through Project-based learning: A case study of biometry and computer vision courses. 2024 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1109/EDUCON60312.2024.10578896
Nováková, D., & Němejc, K. (2024). Competences for the future (Future Work 4S) – Green skills and environmental education. BioResources, 19(4), 7381–7392. https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.19.4.7381-7392
Nurdiansyah, N., Mulyanti, B., & Sucita, T. (2019). Green skills for electrical engineering students. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1375(1), 012086. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1375/1/012086
Nurdiansyah, E., Sapriya, S., Darmawan, C., Abdulkarim, A., & Kurniawan, D. (2025). Living Lab Implementation in Civic Education to Internalize National Spirit and Responsibility Character. Indonesian Journal on Learning and Advanced Education (IJOLAE).
Oktarina, A. D., Hamdi, S., Wijaya, A., Zafrullah, Z., & Rashid, S. (2025). Research trends on the implementation of digital literacy in education: A bibliometric analysis of the Scopus database. Indonesian Journal on Learning and Advanced Education (IJOLAE).
Oktaviani, D., & Satanti, S. (2024). Improving unplugged computational thinking skills through integrated problem-based and differentiated learning in Indonesia. Acta Paedagogica Vilnensia, 52, 93–110. https://doi.org/10.15388/ActPaed.2024.52.10
Ossa, C. J., Rivas, S. F., & Saiz, C. (2023). Relation between metacognitive strategies, motivation to think, and critical thinking skills. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1272958
Pandey, D., Sunar, P. K., Manadhar, N. K., & Pant, B. P. (2025). Integrated projects for meaningful learning: A collaborative action research from Nepal. Education 3-13, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2025.2495969
Prayogo, W., Novrianty, I., Purwanti, A., Mulyana, R., Panjaitan, N. H., Fitria, L., Awfa, D., Ikhwali, M. F., Zamani, I. S., Arifianingsih, N. N., Muklis, M., Purnawan, P., Sunarsih, S., Suryawan, I. W. K., Azizah, R. N., Imami, A. D., & Septiariva, I. Y. (2022). Pelatihan pengolahan sampah dengan metode takakura dan pembuatan stringbag bagi kelompok anak usia dini di desa Bukit Lawang, Sumatera Utara. International Journal of Community Service Learning, 6(3), 381–395. https://doi.org/10.23887/ijcsl.v6i3.50044
Prayogo, W., Ratnaningsih, W., Suhardono, S., & Suryawan, I. W. K. (2024). Environmental education practices in Indonesia: A review. Journal of Sustainable Infrastructure, 3(1), 27–37. https://doi.org/10.61078/jsi.v3i1.27
Quan, D., Tian, L., & Qiu, W. (2022). The study on the influence of green inclusive leadership on employee green behaviour. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2022(1). https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/5292184
Rahmaningtyas, W., Joyoatmojo, S., Kristiani, K., & Murwaningsih, T. (2023). Building a sustainable future: Unraveling the link between environmental awareness and the cultivation of employability and green skills-A literature review. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1248(1), 012021. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1248/1/012021
Rakhmanovich, I. U., Bhattacharjee, R., Anute, N., & Ugli, G. A. N. (2025). Sustainable economics: The role of green technology in shaping future economic policies. AIP Conference Proceedings, 060042. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0276471
Ramli, S., Rasul, M. S., & Affandi, H. M. (2019). The importance of green skills-from the perspective of TVET lecturers and teacher trainees. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 7(6), 186–199.
Ramli, S., Rasul, M. S., & Affandi, H. M. (2020). Identifying technology competency of green skills in the fourth revolution industries amongst teacher trainee. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(11A), 33–42. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2020.082105
Ruiz-Corro, C. G., Pérez-Azahuanche, M., Leyva-Aguilar, N. A., Rabanal-León, H. C., Aroni-Salcedo, K. M., & Ruiz-Corro, A. K. (2024). Environmental awareness: A pedagogical commitment. Producción + Limpia, 19(1), 23–40. https://doi.org/10.22507/pml.v19n1a3
Sachs, J., Lafortune, G., & Fuller, G. (2024). The SDGs and the UN summit of the future. Sustainable development report 2024. In Sustainable Development Solutions Network. https://doi.org/10.25546/108572
Sackey, S. M., Bester, A., & Adams, D. Q. (2020). A framework for an industrial engineering learning facility paradigm toward industry 4.0. South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 31(1). https://doi.org/10.7166/31-1-1796
Samundeeswari, D. D. (2024). Teacher professional development: Effective strategies and evaluation methods. Educational Administration: Theory and Practice, 1726–1733. https://doi.org/10.53555/kuey.v30i6.5578
Saputri, F. M., & Ediyono, S. (2022). Education framework 2030: Do vocational school students have green skills? Jurnal Kependidikan: Jurnal Hasil Penelitian Dan Kajian Kepustakaan Di Bidang Pendidikan, Pengajaran Dan Pembelajaran, 8(3), 605. https://doi.org/10.33394/jk.v8i3.5355
Shulimova, M., Tekeeva, H., & Baysaeva, M. (2024). The role of green economy in achieving sustainable development goals: Prospects and challenges for business. Reliability: Theory and Applications, 19(6), 1615–1622. https://doi.org/10.24412/1932-2321-2024-681-1615-1622
Shulla, K., Filho, W. L., Lardjane, S., Sommer, J. H., & Borgemeister, C. (2020). Sustainable development education in the context of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 27(5), 458–468. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2020.1721378
Subrahmanyam, S. (2025). Developing green skills for sustainable careers. In Integrating AI and Sustainability in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) (pp. 101–126). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-1142-5.ch005
UNESCO. (2021). UNESCO Strategy for TVET (2022-2029): Transforming TVET for Successful and Just Transitions (pp. 1–12).
Uslan, U., Abdullah, N. B., Aiman, U., & Yenni, Y. (2025). Pedagogical Efficacy of Guided Inquiry Modules: Enhancing Critical Thinking in Elementary Education Through Quasi-Experimental Validation. Indonesian Journal on Learning and Advanced Education (IJOLAE), 601-617.
Wagiran, W., Pardjono, P., Triyono, M. B., Pratama, G. N. I. P., & Köhler, T. (2023). The future of vocational competence: Perspective of vocational teachers, industries, and educational expert. International Journal of Instruction, 16(4), 543–560. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2023.16431a
Wang, L., Yuan, J., He, J., Li, H., & Huang, Z. (2025). Developing green design competencies in engineering undergraduates. Engineering Reports, 7(8), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1002/eng2.70343
Weijzen, S. M. G., Onck, C., Wals, A. E., Tassone, V. C., & Kuijer-Siebelink, W. (2024). Vocational education for a sustainable future: Unveiling the collaborative learning narratives to make space for learning. Journal of Vocational Education & Training, 76(2), 331–353. https://doi.org/10.1080/13636820.2023.2270468
Wulandari, R., Iswara, A. P., Qadafi, M., Prayogo, W., Astuti, R. D. P., Utami, R. R., Jayanti, M., Awfa, D., Suryawan, I. W. K., Fitria, L., & Andhikaputra, G. (2024). Water pollution and sanitation in Indonesia: A review on water quality, health and environmental impacts, management, and future challenges. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31(58), 65967–65992. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-35567-x
Yadav, S. (2024). Education for sustainable awareness with integrating eco awareness into educational curricula (pp. 103–122). https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-5748-4.ch006
Zakaria, G. A. N., Yusmaliana, D., Abdullah, Z. H., Abubakari, M. S., Narongrakshakhet, I., & Amonov, B. (2025). Gender-Neutral Pathways to Positive Behavior: Investigating the Role of Self-Actualisation and Academic Achievement in Secondary Education. Indonesian Journal on Learning and Advanced Education (IJOLAE), 1-17.
Zhao, Y., & Ko, J. (2024). Orchestrating vocational education classrooms for adaptive instruction and collaborative learning. Cogent Education, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2351238
Zheng, L., & Zhang, R. (2024). Pro-environmental behaviors and environmental value orientation of vocational college students in China. Sustainability, 16(22), 9694. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16229694
Submitted
Accepted
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Ridho Azahar, Valentinus Lilik Hariyanto, Wisnu Prayogo, Laili Fitria

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.













