“We’ve begun preparing because the labor shift can be anticipated through training, including skill transfers,” said Rozani Erawadi, head of the East Kalimantan Department of Labor and Transmigration, in Samarinda on Wednesday.
His office is pushing this strategy because the region’s job market is still heavily weighted toward fossil-based energy sectors like oil and coal.
Through provincial-led forums on equitable energy transition, the government is mapping out how to steer East Kalimantan’s economy toward non‑mining sectors.
“We’re exploring potential replacement industries such as maritime, aquaculture like vannamei shrimp farming, and forestry via carbon fund schemes,” Rozani said.
He emphasized that sectoral transitions have precedent in East Kalimantan, having shifted over time from timber to oil and gas, and then to coal.
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Accordingly, workforce preparedness becomes critical: workers from mining sectors will need to be reskilled for roles in other industries under formal retraining programs.
He gave the example that a machine operator in a palm oil company converting from fossil fuels to biofuels would need new certification.
“Even if the job title is the same, the competency standards and operator permits change to match new technology and machinery,” he said.
Rozani said that K3 standards for renewable energy–based production equipment should ideally reference guidelines established by the Ministry of Manpower.
Several firms in East Kalimantan are already beginning the energy transition, including Kideco (which is developing electric motor production) and palm oil companies converting waste into energy.
He noted these enterprises are pioneering shifts in their respective sectors to align with broader sustainable goals.
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Translator: Ahmad Rifandi, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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