Indonesia’s Population in Productive Ages is a Strength, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi joins a photo session with participants of the National Apprenticeship at the Work Training Development Unit (BBPLK) in Bekasi, West Java, Wednesday (27/12). (Photo by: Rahmat/Public Relations Division)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said that Indonesian human resources have the abilities to compete with human resources from other countries. Nevertheless, the President acknowledged that the strength has not been capitalized on.

According to the President, Indonesia has 250 million people and 60% them are young people. The figure, the President said, is expected to increase and in 2040, it is estimated that the number of people within productive ages in Indonesia will reach 195 million.

The President made the statement in his remarks at the handover ceremony of Competence Certificates to participants of the National Apprenticeship Program at the Work Training Development Unit (BBPLK) in Bekasi, West Java, Wednesday (27/12).

President Jokowi pointed out that the fact that 60% of Indonesian population are those within productive ages is a strength.

“This is our wealth and this is our opportunity to win the competition with other countries. If we can manage this, if we can make the most of these potentials, if we can capitalize on this, we will become a winning nation,” the President said.

On that occasion, the President also reminded that competence certificate is crucial because those with one has a proven competence in their respective fields. The President cited an example of those working at front office with certificates can work in many companies because their certificates show that that have been trained to work at front office.

“How to smile, perhaps, I don’t know what they are taught. Maybe they are also trained how to greet good morning, good day, good afternoon,” the President said.

President Jokowi also hopes that what have been gained and from the program can be bring real benefits for the development of human resources and bring benefits for the nation and for industries using their services.

“Do remember that competence certificate is not the end of your journey. In fact, it is only just a beginning. Continue developing your competence, making innovation and show that Indonesian human resources can compete with other countries,” the President said.

The National Apprenticeship Program is a collaboration between the Indonesian Government, the Indonesian Employer Association (Apindo), and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin).

As many as 56,119 people from banking sector, manufacturing sector, tourism/hotel sector, retail sector, and fisheries and maritime sector took part in the program. At least 6,201 people took part in the competence test in which 5,635 people were declared competent and 566 people were declared incompetent.

Also attending the event were Minister of Manpower Hanif Dhakiri, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan. (DND/RAH/ES) (EP/YM/Naster)