Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Industry stated that 2,800 workers were currently needed for the petrochemical industry in Banten Province.

This fact has encouraged the ministry to work closely with local industry associations and partners to establish a polytechnic whose graduates will be directly absorbed by the industry.

"The petrochemical industry is an upstream industrial sector that produces a variety of essential chemical products and materials that are the primary raw materials that support the commercial operations of the automotive, machinery, electronics, construction, home appliance industries, and others," the ministry's Head of the Industrial Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDMI) Arus Gunawan stated here on Wednesday.

Gunawan affirmed that the Ministry of Industry remains committed to continuing to support the development of the country's industry that is globally competitive.

One of the strategic steps taken is through the provision of vocational education and training by the BPSDMI.

The BPSDMI has held the student orientation opening event at the Industry Ministry's newly established higher education unit: the Banten Petrochemical Industry Polytechnic.

The establishment and licensing of the Banten Petrochemical Industry Polytechnic have gone through a lengthy process until officially receiving approval from the relevant ministry in 2022.

Head of the Indonesia Olefin, Aromatic, and Plastic Industry Association (INAplas) Suhat Miyarso explained that the Ministry of Industry and INAplas had planned the establishment of the Banten Petrochemical Industry Polytechnic since 2018 to meet the need for human resources that are ready and competent for the petrochemical industry that continues to record growth.

"This polytechnic is in line with the education improvement program that is being implemented in Cilegon City and Serang District (in Banten Province)," he remarked.

Head of the Education and Culture Office of Serang District Asep Nugrahajaya emphasized the need for human resources that meet the needs of the industry.

"The Serang District Government makes educational activities a priority for our program, and we support all learning activities at this polytechnic," he remarked.

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Translator: Sella Panduarsa, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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