4.3 Econometric Synthesis and Earnings Function Specifications
The methodological framework establishes an integrated empirical strategy that synthesizes microeconometric earnings equations with institutional implementation analysis to evaluate vocational school outcomes. Following human capital theory, the baseline econometric specification applies the standard Mincer earnings equation alongside education production functions to evaluate wage differentials between vocational and general secondary tracks, examining how variations in institutional school quality shape long-run career mobility, years of schooling, and labor market performance across longitudinal panel cohorts (JISDeP, 2021). To account for non-random labor force participation and potential sample selection biases across post-schooling transitions, the quantitative architecture incorporates a two-step Heckman selection model alongside the Mincerian revenue function, isolating initial wage advantages and subsequent life-cycle wage depreciation across gender and demographic age cohorts (JISDeP, 2022). Complementing this quantitative specification, the institutional dynamics of technical skill alignment and vocational delivery are examined through structured policy implementation models. Utilizing Goggin's policy implementation framework combined with descriptive strategic analysis, the research evaluates institutional friction points between vocational high schools and industrial enterprises, specifically assessing message content, message credibility, and leadership resource perceptions as critical operational determinants of policy success (TJJPT, 2023). By coupling microeconometric earnings models with multi-dimensional institutional policy evaluation, this methodological approach rigorously isolates structural skill mismatches and educated unemployment determinants from confounding macroeconomic shocks. Consequently, this multi-method design provides a reliable empirical framework to evaluate whether vocational curriculum realignment successfully generates durable wage growth or merely temporary initial employment gains across successive graduating cohorts.