The push to improve the quality of vocational education in East Java has received a boost. Wijaya Putra University (UWP) is directly involved in the field through the Community Partnership Empowerment (PKM) program, providing intensive training for vocational high school teachers to prepare them to produce graduates truly needed by the industry.

This program is the result of a 2025 Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Research and Development (Kemdikbudristek) Research and Community Partnership (PKM) grant. Titled "Improving Teacher Capacity in Supporting Teaching Factories at Gresik Vocational High Schools Based on the Creative Economy," the program is being held at SMK Hidayatul Ummah (SMEKHUM) Gresik.

The program's primary focus is helping teachers strengthen the management of Teaching Factories (TEFA), an industry-oriented learning model that is increasingly vital in vocational education.

Although TEFA has been widely implemented, many teachers still need guidance in integrating creative economy principles so that their products are not only good for learning but also marketable.

This is what motivated the UWP PKM team, led by Yeni Probowati, S.Pd., M.Pd., along with lecturers and students from various departments. They included Dwi Elok Indriastuti, SH., M.Hum. and Yuli Ermawati, SE., M.Ak., as faculty members, and three students from the English Literature, Psychology, and Industrial Engineering departments, who provided intensive training.

They brought a new approach. They designed comprehensive training covering everything from TEFA concepts to creative product development, digital marketing, and business model development.

"The potential in this vocational school is enormous. With a creative economy approach, TEFA products can become a source of income for the school and students. Teachers are the key, so developing their capacity is crucial," said Yeni, opening the event.

The principal of Hidayatul Ummah Vocational School, Yulistiana, S.Kom., M.Pd., welcomed the training. She acknowledged that schools have focused more on production, while marketing and packaging have not been optimally addressed.

"With the knowledge from UWP, we have gained new strategies. It's not just about creating products, but also about how to make those products known and in demand by the public," she said.

The teachers also participated in a practical workshop to revise the business plan for each TEFA unit. UWP students also contributed creative ideas, particularly regarding the use of digital technology and social media for promotion.

The PKM program doesn't stop at training. The UWP team is committed to providing follow-up mentoring to ensure the material presented is truly implemented in schools.

"This is part of UWP's Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi (Three Pillars of Higher Education), particularly in community service. We hope this collaboration will continue so that vocational education becomes stronger and more competitive," concluded Yeni.

The activity, which began in September 2025, concluded with the signing of a handover report and a follow-up plan—a first step towards a mutually beneficial partnership between UWP and vocational schools in Gresik.