President Jokowi Attends Launching of Industrial Vocation Program

President Jokowi witnesses the signing ceremony at the launching of Industrial Vocation Education Program in the GIIC Area, Deltamas, Bekasi, West Java, Friday (28/7). (Photo: PR/Deni)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo attended the launching of Industrial Vocational Education Program managed by PT Astra Otoparts Tbk Cikarang at the Greenland International Industrial Center (GIIC), Deltamas, Central Cikarang Subdistrict, Bekasi, West Java, on Friday (28/7) morning.

In his speech, President Jokowi said that after focusing on infrastructure developments, such as seaports, airports, railways outside Java, toll roads, and power plants to prepare Indonesia’s competitiveness to compete with other countries, the Government will focus on human resources development. “Today, we have started the trainings, link and match cooperation between industry and vocational school (SMK), and between industry and boarding school,” the President said.

President Jokowi is pleased that SMK is already working with the industry. He hopes that SMK does not get stuck with old curriculums but is more flexible and keeps up with developments. “It should be flexible. Then, the majors should not be the same old ones,” the President explained.

According to the President, SMK should not only have majors in construction or electricity; however, in order to meet the current development, it can open majors in supervision engineering, construction engineering, steel engineering, logistics, or animation with specialists to make memes.

When it comes to Industrial Vocation Education program managed by PT Astra Otoparts Tbk, President Jokowi considered that the cooperation between SMK and industry is very strategic so that Indonesia is not left behind with other countries.

The President hopes that the State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) and private sector will cooperate with SMK and boarding school. He believes, with consistent cooperation, Indonesia will be the top four strongest economies by 2040 or 2045. “We have natural resources. However, human resources are more important. We must agree with it. Because sometimes natural resources can spoil us,” the President said.

With a good work ethic, productivity and human resources, the President believes that Indonesia can more easily compete with other countries. To that end, the President urges that Indonesia not only rely on the existing educational institutions, but also conduct the rapid training needed by the industry. “Once our human resources are ready, we will enter the service industry such as business process outsourcing, training on technical guidance. Because this is necessary,” the President explained.

Accompanying President Jokowi in the event were Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Research, Technology, and Higher Education M Nasir, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan, President Director of Astra International Prijono Sugiarto, President Director of Astra Otoparts Hamdhani Zulkarnaen, and other company directors. (RMI/DNS/ES) (MUR/YM/Naster).