The program is one of the right solutions to overcome employment problems.
North Minahasa, North Sulawesi (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Manpower Ministry has said it will massively develop skilled human resources in five super-priority tourism destinations -- Lake Toba (North Sumatra), Borobudur Temple (Central Java), Mandalika (NTB), Labuan Bajo (NTT), and Likupang (North Sulawesi).

"The apprenticeship program implemented in the five super-priority tourism destinations marks the start of the massive development of skilled human resources in the tourism sector," Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah said in Likupang, North Minahasa District, North Sulawesi, on Friday.

The program is part of the government's efforts to optimize as well as solve various challenges regarding Indonesia's demographic bonus, which it is predicted to experience in 2030-2040, she added.

The challenges comprise the digitalization era, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the employment sector, and the low quality of Indonesian human resources’ skills, she said.

Thus, in order to take advantage of the potential and employment opportunities as well as respond to the challenges, the ministry is improving the quality of Indonesian workers through a triple skilling policy -- skilling, upskilling, and reskilling, Fauziyah informed.

Furthermore, graduates of vocational schools, diplomas, and universities who still need to develop their competencies and work experience can participate in the apprenticeship program in collaboration with various industrial stakeholders, she said.

"The program is one of the right solutions to overcome employment problems, especially in preparing skilled workers with the right competencies in accordance with the labor market," she added.

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During the program, participants will be able to gain real work experience, which will build their attitudes, working behavior, and competencies, in accordance with the demand of the labor market, the minister said.

The ministry, through the director general of vocational and productivity training, has allocated the domestic apprenticeship program budget through the deconcentration funds every year, she added.

In 2021, it is targeted that 7,800 apprentices will be disbursed to 34 provinces across Indonesia, she said.

In particular, for supporting the five super-priority tourism destinations, there will be an additional 470 apprentices -- 110 of whom will be from North Sulawesi, she added.

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Translator: Karel Polakitan, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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