Without partnerships, it is impossible for vocational education to have good quality
Solo, Central Java (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology has invited all elements to strengthen vocational education to help produce a quality generation.

"There are two benchmarks to produce superior human resources. The first is the quality of graduates, which is reflected through their work, be it in the business world, industry, entrepreneurship, or continuing studies," the ministry's Director General of Vocational Education, Kiki Yuliati, said.

She made the remarks at the inauguration of the Vocational High School Revitalization Program’s Center of Excellence (SMK PK) at Surakarta 8 Vocational School (SMKN 8) on Wednesday.

The second benchmark is the partnership with the business world or the world of work, she added.

"Without partnerships, it is impossible for vocational education to have good quality. Vocational education is also needed to support educational achievement and economic growth in the region," she explained.

When it comes to vocational education, the education sector must listen to inputs and suggestions from entrepreneurs regarding the preparation of human resources and pay attention to the regional government's plans for economic development.

On the same occasion, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo lauded the revitalization program carried out by the Indonesian Vocational School Entrepreneurs Consortium.

He said he hopes that the assistance can be used as a motivation for teachers and students to create a more enjoyable learning atmosphere and produce vocational school graduates with high competitiveness for the business world.

"Thank you to the Indonesian Vocational School Entrepreneurs Consortium, including Indofood, Sinar Mas, Bakti Barito Foundation, iForte, Wings, Agung Sedayu, Triputra, Garudafood, Ciliandra, and Astra, who have revitalized schools in Central Java and have helped reduce the burden on the regional budget," he added.

Meanwhile, Director of the Bakti Barito Foundation, Dian A. Purbasari, informed that the consortium revitalized seven vocational schools in Central Java in 2022.

SMKN 8 Surakarta is one of the vocational schools whose renovation was completed in 2022, she added.

"The support was in the form of an auditorium renovation. Now, the school has international staging standards. In addition, the teachers are also equipped with performing arts skills. In this case, we are working with (Indonesian director) Garin Nugroho's team," she informed.

For the 2021–2023 period, the consortium planned to provide assistance to 16 vocational schools in Central Java, with a budget of Rp58 billion. The seven vocational schools that were inaugurated on Wednesday have been included in the SMK PK Program through the “2022 Matching Support Scheme.”

The support from the entrepreneurs' consortium for the SMK PK program under the “Matching Support Scheme” will continue in 2023.

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Translator: Aris Wasita, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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