Technology Driven Innovation for Enhancing Digital Skills in Vocational Education

The rapid advancement of digital technologies, automation, and industrial transformation has significantly reshaped workforce competency requirements, compelling vocational education institutions to adopt technology driven innovations in teaching and learning to prepare graduates for increasingly dynamic and digitally oriented workplace environments while meeting continuously evolving industry competency demands. This study aims to examine the impact of technology-driven innovation on students digital skills and its influence on future workforce readiness in vocational education. A quantitative research approach was employed using a survey of 200 vocational education students from various study programs who actively utilized digital technologies in their learning activities. Data were collected through a five point Likert scale questionnaire and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS software. The research model consisted of three constructs, Technology-Driven Innovation, Digital Skills, and Future Workforce Readiness. The findings indicate that technology driven innovation has a positive and significant effect on students digital skills. Further more, digital skills positively influence students readiness to meet the demands of an increasingly digitalized labor market. The results also reveal that digital skills serve as a mediating variable, strengthening the relationship between technology driven innovation and future workforce readiness. These findings highlight the importance of developing adaptive curricula, integrating innovative educational technologies, and strengthening collaboration between vocational education institutions and industry to produce graduates equipped with advanced digital competencies, adaptability, and the skills required to thrive in the Industry 5.0 era.