"This is because vocational training can be a solution to (the issues of) low competitiveness in workforce and unemployment in this era of digitalization, as well as mismatch with job market during economic recovery period," Deputy Minister of Manpower Afriansyah Noor noted in a statement received here on Sunday.
He said the government remains challenged by how to improve competencies of the country's human resources amid the fact that informal workforce still dominates the industrial sector.
Other challenges that the government needs to address.are related to the ongoing efforts to ensure that Indonesians can have indeed recovered from the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic, and responded to digital technology disruption, as marked by 4.0 industrial revolution, he elaborated.
As for the potential and opportunities, Indonesia will reach its period of demographic bonus in 2030; moreover, there will be more jobs for locals considering the line up of national priority projects, he added.
"To address.the challenges and gain opportunities, we need competitive, superior human resources," Noor remarked.
He said the vocational training is a useful method that can be applied to help improve the capability of Indonesian human resources capability owing to
its relatively short duration; inclusiveness as it does not only accommodate certain age group; focuses on work placement, entrepreneurship, and productivity improvement.
Other benefits are its flexibility, as it can be rearranged to fit and follow the changes in market demands, he pointed out.
The coach and trainers in these programs are also practitioners, Noor added.
Moreover, the vocational training program directly aims at improving the needed competences, and it can be combined with other social safety net programs, such as pre-employment program, he said.
He also mentioned that currently, many job seekers and employees are eyeing this kind of program as a way of improving their skills, or even shifting their competences.
"This is because vocational training is considered to be a solution to the low competitiveness of workforce, as well as unemployment during digitalization era, and mismatch during economic recovery period," he elaborated.
Noor disclosed government's initiative to collaborate with many stakeholders, including Pearson Vue and Certiport, to conduct the vocational trainings.
The ministry, Pearson Vue, and Certiport are pursuing collaboration to identify skill gaps, as well as to offer professional certifications in Indonesia, he addedRelated news: Govt continues to revitalize vocational education, training
Related news: Minister says local govts play important role in vocational education
.
Translator: Astrid Faidlatul H, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
