Purpose: The study aimed to measure the perception of prospective vocational education (VE) students in Indonesia toward the sustainable development of VE. Additionally, it sought to evaluate the implications of these perceptions for improving the quality of VE and preparing superior human resources to meet future demands. Design/methodology/approach: This research employed a quantitative approach, utilizing descriptive statistical analysis, Top Two Boxes (T2B) and independent sample t-tests. Data were collected via an online questionnaire distributed through Google Forms to 394 prospective VE students from 23 provinces across Indonesia. The gender distribution of the respondents was 61% male and 39% female. Findings: The analysis revealed that prospective VE students had a high perception of the sustainable development of VE, with a T2B value of 92.2%. This perception was significantly influenced by the presence of appropriate government regulations. Furthermore, the study noted an increase in the community’s trust in VE, as reflected in the growing ratio of vocational to general education, which shifted from 30%:70% in 2008 to 52%:48% in 2023. Practical implications: Despite the positive perceptions, challenges persist in recruiting vocational teachers proportionally. Currently, only 5% of vocational teachers are appointed as government employees, which may affect the quality and relevance of vocational school graduates. To address this issue, the government must allocate adequate budgetary resources for recruiting and appointing vocational teachers. This step is essential to ensure sustainable growth and further enhance public trust in VE. Originality/value: This research provides valuable insights into the perceptions of prospective VE students in Indonesia regarding the sustainable development of VE. By identifying key factors influencing these perceptions, such as government regulations, and highlighting existing challenges, the study contributes to the ongoing discourse on improving VE quality and aligning it with future demands. © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited.
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