RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government is stepping up efforts to strengthen vocational education to meet the demands of the rapidly growing manufacturing industry. The initiative aims to build a competent workforce while supporting the Indonesia Emas (Golden Indonesia) 2045 vision.

Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita stressed that digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), automation, the green economy, and global supply chain shifts require an industrial workforce that is adaptive, innovative, and committed to lifelong learning.

“Strengthening vocational education and training is a national priority and serves as the foundation for developing a competent industrial workforce,” Minister Agus said in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, as quoted on the ministry’s official website.

The Ministry of Industry, through the Industrial Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDMI), is expanding cooperation with the Swiss and German governments to improve the quality of industrial human resources.

The collaboration, which has been ongoing since 2018, includes the Skills for Competitiveness (S4C) program, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) System Reform, S4C Phase 2, and the Green Jobs for Social Inclusion and Sustainable Transformation (GESIT) program.

These initiatives have provided modern training equipment, capacity building for educators and students, and strengthened vocational institutions.

BPSDMI Director Doddy Rahadi highlighted the importance of building a new culture of collaboration. “Schools and industry can no longer operate in isolation; both must be equal partners in shaping future talent,” he said.

As part of this effort, BPSDMI, together with the Swiss and German governments, is hosting the National Dual Vocational Education and Training (DVET) 2026 forum from July 21–23, 2026.

The forum will discuss strengthening the dual education system, industry-based curricula, structured internships, Teaching Factories, and Green Jobs, while expanding partnerships to support green industrial transformation.

Head of Cooperation at State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Violette Ruppanner, said the partnership aims to bridge the gap between education and industry. “When companies actively help design curricula, provide structured internships, and invest in future talent, all parties stand to benefit,” she noted.

Meanwhile, GIZ Deputy Country Director Shameer Khanal emphasized that the initiative is about investing in people. “No green transition can succeed without a workforce equipped with the right knowledge, skills, and opportunities. This reflects our shared belief that successful transformation can only be achieved through partnership,” he said. ***