Speaking at an award event to recognize Banten Police Chief Suyudi Ario Seto's Poliran initiative here Wednesday, Susanto said he considered the initiative valuable for lowering the unemployment rate, developing villages' economies, and reducing crime rates.
"Hence, this (initiative) deserves an award from us, (as it) serves as our motivation, particularly within the Village Ministry. This can also become an example or replicated in other places," the minister said.
In the program, participants learn about select skills, such as agriculture, farming, fishery, welding, and electrical work. Moreover, the skills can help source the ingredients required for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, he remarked.
At the same event, Banten Police Chief Suyudi Ario Seto explained that the initiative addresses a survey revealing the region's unemployment rate is nearly 5.7 percent.
High unemployment exacerbates crime rates. Hence, his administration, the governor, and the relevant stakeholders collaborate to develop the program to tackle the issues.
Seto said participants include correctional inmates, people recently laid off, and youth from Generation Z and millennials. To date, his administration has hosted four batches, with an average of 112 participants per batch.
Once the participants conclude the four-day training, they receive certificates from the National Vocational Training Center, he noted.
"Alhamdulillah, from these trainings, more than 80 percent have landed permanent jobs in companies across Banten," he highlighted.
He expected that the ministry would continue to support this initiative so it could be pursued consistently in Banten and expanded nationwide.
Related news: Police chief bestowed ITUC-AP award for worker protection
Translator: Mecca Yumna Ning Prisie
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
