"In an effort to produce competent and professional industrial human resources, we have also recruited persons with disabilities in East Java," Secretary General of the Ministry of Industry Haris Munandar noted in a statement received in Jakarta, Saturday.
Munandar explained that implementation of the program is the result of a collaboration between the Yogyakarta Education and Training Center and the Indonesian Footwear Association (Aprisindo) in East Java.
The activity has been carried out in the form of a 3-in-1 Training scheme to meet the demand for workers in the footwear industry.
In 2017, a total of 50 participants from the Extraordinary School (SLB) in East Java were recorded.
After receiving the sewing competency training for upper footwear at the SLB Pembina Nasional, Section C Malang, all graduates were then employed to work at PT Wangta Agung, Surabaya.
In 2018, as many as 45 participants, with disabilities from the East Java region, were also hired by PT Ecco Indonesia and PT Widaya Inti Plasma in Sidoarjo.
In addition to training for some 20 days, participants also received training equipment, consumption during training, and practice materials.
"They also received training certificates and those passing the competency test also get certificates," he added.
Instructors of the 3-in-1 training program were civil servants from BDI Yogyakarta and trainers from Aprisindo East Java.
Head of BDI Yogyakarta Tevi Dwi Kurniaty remarked that the training was conducted in accordance with the objectives of the work unit to help the industry obtain skilled workforce according to the needs of the field.
"Hence, we work with companies that will accept them to work," she explained.
Meanwhile, East Java Aprisindo Secretary Ali Mas`ud stated that several associate member companies, including PT Widaya Inti Plasma, were ready to accept the 3-in-1 training graduates for persons with disabilities.
"Participants from 15 cities in East Java will be recruited by the company that manufactures shoes for the `Trekkers` brand," he noted.
Public Relations of PT Widaya Inti Plasma Nur Habib Ahmad said his office is committed to fulfilling the mandate of Law Number 8 of 2016 concerning Persons with Disabilities.
Under the legal umbrella, it was stated that private companies must employ at least one percent of persons with disabilities of the total number of their workers.
"We already have 10 disabled workers placed in the online sales department. Earlier, we also had disabled workers in marketing," he added.
Reporting by Sella Panduarsa Gareta/Aria Cindyara
Editing by Yoseph Hariyadi
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Yosep Hariyadi
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