SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF LINK AND MATCH IMPLEMENTATION BETWEEN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY

Agus  Sambodo; Bibin  Rubini; Dian  Wulandari

doi:10.53067/ijomral.v5i5.506

Authors

Agus Sambodo Universitas Pakuan
Bibin Rubini Universitas Pakuan
Dian Wulandari Universitas Pakuan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53067/ijomral.v5i5.506

Keywords:

Effectiveness; Implementation; Industry; Link and match; Vocational Education

Abstract

The implementation of link and match between vocational education and industry is an important strategy for improving the alignment of graduates’ competencies with labour-market needs. This study aims to analyse the effectiveness of link and match implementation, identify the factors that influence its effectiveness, and formulate effective forms of implementation. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted on publications from 2020 to 2026. The literature search was systematically performed in Dimensions AI, Scopus, ScienceDirect, ERIC, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using keywords related to link and match, vocational education/TVET, industry partnership, work-integrated learning, and teaching factory. Of the 315 records identified, duplicate removal, title and abstract screening, full-text assessment, and the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria resulted in 10 verified studies that were synthesised thematically. The review indicates that the effectiveness of link and match is primarily determined by curriculum alignment with industry needs, sustainable school-industry partnerships, industry-based learning, teacher and instructor competence, policy support, and organisational readiness. Forms of implementation that consistently support competency relevance and work readiness include internships/work placements, teaching factories, project-based learning using authentic industry projects, competency certification, the involvement of industry practitioners, and stronger commitments to graduate recruitment. The findings demonstrate that effective link and match cannot be defined merely by the existence of formal cooperation; rather, it depends on the quality, intensity, and sustainability of collaboration integrated into the educational process. The final corpus includes Indonesian studies and two international studies from Bangladesh and South Africa, providing comparative perspectives on supportive policies, work-based learning, and the management of TVET-industry partnerships.

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