"The target is set high because there are opportunities in Germany, Eastern Europe, Japan, Korea, and many more," said Wardani Sugiyanto, the director for vocational schools at the ministry, on the sidelines of Central Java's 31st Vocational Students' Competition in Kudus, Central Java, on Monday.
He mentioned that students must first be registered at a domestic polytechnic before going abroad.
"The study is done online, so once they come back home, it's only a matter of recognition. For example, if the internship is two years, when they return home, they only need to study for another year to obtain an associate degree," he explained.
He encouraged the students who won the competition to further develop their work.
As an example, he mentioned Salma Salsabil Aliyyah from Surabaya 12 State Vocational School, who managed to win the "2023 Indonesian Idol".
Prior to that, she won first place in a band competition held as part of Central Java's 17th Student Competition in 2020 and was also awarded in the best vocal category, he added.
"It is expected that the winners of the Vocational Students' Competition can be like that. Not stopping right after they win, but consistently developing themselves to create marketable products equivalent to other products. For example, animation or engineering can be further developed so that they become marketable in project-based learning," he explained.
He pointed out that snacks from Cibadak Vocational School have penetrated the markets of various regions, providing opportunities for the school's students to become entrepreneurs.
"Work is just a head start, so after working for three to five years, they can establish their own enterprise," Sugiyanto stated.
Deputy Governor of Central Java, Taj Yasin Maimoen, who also attended the event, expressed his expectation that the products of the winners would reach industries, allowing students and schools to feel a sense of pride when their creations are utilized by businesses.
The competition saw participation from 1,135 participants from 581 vocational schools, all of whom had won the district and municipal-level competitions.
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Translator: Akhmad Nazaruddin, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Anton Santoso
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