In a statement released here on Saturday, he underlined the need for collaboration between the government and business players for building an education system that aligns with the current needs of industries.
According to Purwanto, quality education must be able to answer the challenges of the future. It must not merely focus on academic grades, but also on developing skills for critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and the ability to adapt to change, he expounded.
These skills, he said, will enable workers to create new opportunities for themselves as well as those around them.
Purwanto stressed that Indonesia's education system needs to prioritize vocational training, technical training, and skills certification as a bridge between the world of education and the world of work.
"Educated and skilled workers will be more ready to face the world of work that is increasingly more complex," he said.
Regarding the increasing layoffs due to the global economic situation, he asked the government and companies to pay serious attention to the issue.
The legislator also urged companies to pay more attention to the welfare of workers and prioritize alternative measures rather than layoffs.
He said that rash decisions to lay off workers, without considering the condition of workers and long-term solutions, would only make things worse.
To this end, he urged the government to provide more flexible policies to support affected workers, including skills training assistance and education programs that can open up new jobs.
"Training programs that target new skill sets will help workers at risk of layoffs to transform to other, more developed sectors," he said.
The International Workers' Day on May 1 and the National Education Day on May 2 this year must serve as reminders to reflect and harmonize the direction of Indonesia's excellent human resources development, he added.
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Translator: Narda Margaretha, Raka Adji
Editor: Arie Novarina
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