Abstract: This study argues that work motivation plays more vital role in influencing workers’ work performance than their previous education background at the vocational schools. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to determine the amount of contribution of work motivation and previous vocational education background on work performance among the Vocational High School (VHS) graduates who worked in private sectors in West Sumatra, Indonesia. The design of this study was a survey method which used a set of questionnaire to collect data. There were 302 respondents who were randomly selected. The findings indicated that the level of work motivation and work performance among VHS graduates working in the private sectors in West Sumatra, Indonesia was very good as well as positive and significant relationship between both variables. On the other hand, there is no significant difference between the two variables in terms of age and duration of services. In detailed, dimensions of work motivation such as organizational climate, job training and incentive showed a highly positive and significant relationships with work performance rather than the VHS graduates’ education background. The implication is work place environment needs be given serious attention by the private sectors’ employers for workers to be motivated to perform their work with excellence. It also indicates that graduate’s school education background is only important at the job entry level and performing basic job task requirements.