Gov’t Launches Fourth Batch of National Vocational Training with 12,128 Participants

The Indonesian Government continues to strengthen vocational training programs to improve workforce skills while addressing the evolving needs of industry. The effort is carried out through the fourth batch of 2026 National Vocational Training Program, which is being conducted simultaneously across various regions with 12,128 participants.

“This program is the President’s directives and serves as a stimulus in the second semester of 2026 that should be implemented effectively and on target, and deliver a meaningful impact on the public,” Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said during the kick-off of the fourth batch of 2026 National Vocational Training Program in Serang, Banten, on Tuesday (9/1).

Airlangga said strengthening vocational training is essential to ensure that an increase in investment is in line with the workforce readiness. In the first half of 2026, realized investment reached Rp1,010.6 trillion, growing 7.2 percent year-on-year, equivalent to 49.5 percent of the annual target. The investment also contributed to the creation of approximately 1.4 million jobs nationwide.

On the employment side, Indonesia’s open unemployment rate has declined to 4.65%. However, challenges remain among young people, reaching around 67% of the total unemployment, or approximately 4.8 million people. The figures indicate the need to strengthen workforce competency so that job seekers possess skills aligned with labor market demand.

Competency requirements continue to evolve alongside changes in the economic structure, particularly in the digital and green economy sectors. Therefore, vocational training is being designed to equip participants with skills relevant to industry needs, including emerging fields such as renewable energy and smart farming.

On the same occasion, Manpower Minister Yassierli said the duration of each training program is tailored to the type of competency being taught. Upon completing the training, participants receive competency certificates from the National Professional Certification Board (BNSP), which serve as formal proof of their competencies when entering the labor market.

“We hope this will become a source of competitiveness and something they can show to industry: ‘This is what I can do. This is my capability.’ This is our collective effort to improve the competencies of our young people,” Yassierli said.

This year, the National Vocational Training Program is targeting approximately 340,000 participants. The target consists of 70,000 participants funded through the existing state budget allocation and an additional 270,000 participants through the second-half of 2026 economic stimulus program. As of August 2026, a total of 89,337 participants had taken part in the vocational training.

(Public Relations of Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs/Public Relations of Ministry of Manpower/-Public Relations of Ministry of State Secretariat) (JAS/LW)