"IKM is a driving force for economic growth which contributes greatly to absorbing labor," he said in a statement received here, Sunday.
Gunawan said, the instructors serve as the leading forces in the development of small and medium industries in regions that could bring a one-stop solution for the industry.
The BPSDMI Head made his statement at the 2023 National Coordination Meeting for Functional Positions of Industry and Trade Instructors in Malang, East Java recently.
The meeting was attended by members of the Indonesian Industry and Trade Instructors Professional Association (APPI) across the country.
Gunawan said, with the support and guidance from the trade and industry instructors, IKM actors can improve their skills, knowledge, and abilities in developing their businesses.
Industry and Trade Instructors can also facilitate collaboration between SMEs and other parties, such as universities, research institutes, or business partners.
"This collaboration can open opportunities for product development and increase the competitiveness of IKM," he explained.
Therefore, the Ministry of Industry continues to encourage the development of Industrial and Trade Instructors to be more capable through the preparation of competency standards and competency tests to prove their quality.
"They need to equip themselves with various competencies in order to be able to provide assistance not only related to technical production but also related to market trends and help market access both local and international markets," he added.
The competency standards for the instructors consist of technical competence, managerial competence, and sociocultural competence.
This competence is proven through a competency test which refers to competency development compiled by the Ministry of Industry's Apparatus HR Development, Education and Training Center.
In order to support the development of these competencies, the ministry already has an Apparatus Education and Training Information System (SIPPA).
This system functions for the development of the Ministry of Industry's Functional Position database, with the E-Jafung dashboard developed through the Training and Competency Test features. Currently, there are 305 PFPP registered in the SIPPA system.
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Translator: Ade Irma, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Sri Haryati
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