Developing SORONG GROW to Transform Vocational School and Industry Alignment in Sorong
Abstract
This study developed and evaluated SORONG GROW to support vocational school alignment with the palm oil industry in the Sorong Special Economic Zone, Indonesia. The model addresses the difficulty of translating occupational diagnosis into leadership decisions and organizational action. A multistrand mixed methods design integrated with ADDIE was implemented from April 2025 to June 2026. Diagnosis covered eight vocational schools and three companies; implementation involved six purposively selected schools. The model combined Scanning Occupational Requirement of the Market, Navigating Gaps of Curriculum, GROW Coaching, and Collaborative Inquiry. Questionnaires, interviews, observations, documents, coaching records, and monitoring notes supplied evidence. Descriptive alignment comparisons were integrated with process evidence through joint displays and cross-case analysis. Mean alignment increased from 58.33 to 60.98; four schools improved and two declined, with changes ranging from +17.40 to −6.78 points. Qualitative findings documented greater use of industry evidence, revised priorities, collaborative action, and structured monitoring. Differences across schools were associated with organizational readiness, leadership capacity, baseline conditions, and partnership maturity. SORONG GROW provides a context-sensitive mechanism linking diagnosis, leadership commitment, collective action, and organizational learning. Without a control group, these findings do not establish causal effectiveness. Further implementation should strengthen organizational consolidation and examine the sustainability of emerging practices.
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