Cabinet Secretariat Kicks Off Training Program for Gov’t Translators of Eight Batch

Deputy Cabinet Secretary Ratih Nurdiati accompanied by Deputy for Cabinet Work Support Yuli Harsono poses for a group photo with participants of First Level Functional Translator Education and Training Class VIII of 2019, at Building III, Ministry of State Secretariat, Jakarta, Tuesday (5/3). (Photo by: Rahmat/ PR)

Cabinet Secretariat continue to make progress in developing government translators and interpreters – known as Functional Translator Officers (PFP) – in terms of quality and quantity, according to Deputy Cabinet Secretary Ratih Nurdiati.

In terms of number, Cabinet Secretariat recorded that there are currently 181 Functional Translator Officers in 57 ministries/institutions at central and regional governments in 25 provinces in Indonesia.

The rise in the number of Functional Translator Officers has also contributed to the rising number of languages that those translators master, namely Arabic, Dutch, English, Japanese, Germany, Chinese, France, and traditional languages such as Bugis and Javanese Pegon.

In terms of quality, Cabinet Secretariat as the fostering institution for Indonesian Functional Translator Officers has organized seven technical trainings; two first level functional translator education and trainings, and two technical education and trainings since 2016.

“Last month, Cabinet Secretary also organized Competency Test for Indonesian Government Translators and Interpreters participated by 20 translators,” the Deputy Cabinet Secretary said in her remarks at the opening of First Level Functional Translator Education and Training Class VIII of 2019, at Building III, Ministry of State Secretariat, Jakarta, Tuesday (5/3).

Ratih explained that the Competency Test is required for every Functional Translator Officer as one of the prerequisites for promotion and to ensure that the candidates to be promoted already master all competencies needed for a higher position.

Cabinet Secretariat, she added, has also taken measures to improve the competency of Functional Translator Officers, for example sending two translators from Cabinet Secretariat to take part in interpreting training to select the President’s interpreter organized by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, assigning Functional Translator Officers in national and international events, and encouraging them to submit their papers to be published  on Translation Journal which has already issued its 6^th edition.

Ratih added that in 2018 Cabinet Secretariat in collaboration with the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) also translated 400 pages of regulations/documents on EoDB (Ease of Doing Business).

After the establishment 13 years ago, Functional Translator Officials must improve their competencies to keep up with national and global rapid development, she added.

“Therefore, Cabinet Secretary continues to shape Functional Translator Officials into translators with broad knowledge, skills, and ethics needed to become competent government translators,” Deputy Cabinet Secretary said, adding that the competences will allow translators to adapt to various tasks.

Ratih also expressed hope that all participants of the training program this year can make the most of the program.

Previously, Deputy for Cabinet Work Support Yuli Harsono said that Cabinet Secretariat as the fostering institution for Indonesian Functional Translator Officers since 2016, has a strong commitment to foster Functional Translator Officers nationally, by among others exercising 18 responsibilities as mandated in Government Regulation Number 11 of 2017 on Management of Civil Servants.

Considering that matter, Yuli asserted that Cabinet Secretariat is honored to implement one of those responsibilities, namely organizing training programs for Functional Translator Officers. “This responsibility is our top priority since it can support the development of government translators’ future careers,” he added.

For the record, this year’s training program is held from 4 March to 13 April 2019 in Jakarta. As many as 22 government translators from Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Ministry of Education and Culture, Attorney General, Supreme Court, the National Archives, Riau Provincial Government, West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government, and West Bangka Regency participated in the program.

Translated by : Rany Anjany Subachrum
Edited by : M. Esan Pamungkas