Abstract
In the contemporary global labor market, the traditional focus on technical proficiency within vocational education is increasingly insufficient for ensuring long-term career success. This research investigates the impact of Entrepreneurial Mindset (EM) education on the employability and innovation capabilities of graduates from non-business vocational programs (e.g., engineering, health sciences, and information technology). Utilizing a longitudinal mixed-methods approach, the study analyzed data from 480 students across three vocational institutions over an 18-month period. Quantitative analysis focused on the correlation between entrepreneurship education modules and perceived employability, while qualitative interviews explored the development of innovative behaviors. The findings reveal that integrating entrepreneurial mindset training significantly enhances graduate employability by bridging the gap between technical skills and market-oriented soft skills. Specifically, the study demonstrates that EM serves as a critical intervening variable between educational input and innovative output. Graduates who underwent EM training exhibited higher levels of entrepreneurial alertness and a greater propensity for workplace innovation compared to those in traditional technical tracks. Furthermore, the research identifies a strong positive nexus between soft skill acquisition and technical vocational training in securing high-value employment. The study concludes that non-business vocational curricula must move beyond 'business-as-usual' technical training to incorporate cognitive and behavioral entrepreneurial frameworks. These findings provide a roadmap for vocational educators and policymakers to redesign curricula that foster resilience, innovation, and employability in an increasingly volatile economic landscape.