PELATIHAN KOMUNIKASI BISNIS DIGITAL BAGI SISWA SMK UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KESIAPAN DUNIA KERJA

Abstract

This community service initiative aims to enhance the digital business communication competencies of final-year students at SMK YP Kotamadya Blitar, thereby strengthening their readiness to enter the workforce. The activity was motivated by the students' limited ability to engage in professional communication via digital media—specifically regarding the use of business language, the application of communication ethics, and the drafting of messages appropriate for a professional context. The program was conducted using a participatory approach comprising four stages: needs assessment, material delivery, digital business communication practice and simulation, and evaluation via observation and questionnaires. Evaluation results revealed an improvement in student competence, evidenced by a rise in the average score from 3.68 ("good" category) prior to the training to 4.62 ("excellent" category) afterward. Improvements were particularly notable in the students' ability to use professional language, apply digital communication ethics, and draft business messages using email and instant messaging applications. The results demonstrate that practice- and simulation-based training provides a practical learning experience that effectively develops students' soft skills and communication competencies. Consequently, strengthening digital business communication skills serves as a vital strategy for enhancing the workforce readiness of vocational high school students. Program sustainability requires the systematic and continuous integration of digital business communication concepts and practices into the vocational curriculum.