Indonesia and China Partner to Boost Vocational Education for Global Industry
- 02 Agt 2026 21:28 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
- The Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (PMK) is expanding Indonesia-China cooperation to strengthen vocational education and improve global workforce competitiveness.
- The initiative focuses on developing industry-ready vocational talent through an industry-based, demand-driven education approach.
RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (PMK) is strengthening Indonesia-China cooperation to develop vocational education as part of efforts to improve global competitiveness. The collaboration is focused on enhancing the competencies of vocational talent to meet the needs of an evolving future industry.
Vocational education transformation is being carried out through an industry-based approach so that graduate competencies are increasingly relevant. The policy supports the development of adaptive human resources capable of facing technological change and industrial digitalization.
A special staff member for quality human resources at the Coordinating Ministry for PMK, Katiman, said global industrial transformation demands vocational education that is increasingly responsive to labor-market needs. The shift is driven by the development of artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing, and the rapid acceleration of industrial digitalization.
“Today the world is entering a very rapid era of industrial transformation, so vocational education must adapt to technological developments. Old approaches are no longer sufficient because they must answer real industrial needs,” said Katiman on Sunday, August 2, 2026.
The government continues to transform vocational education through the implementation of Presidential Regulation No. 68 of 2022 on the Revitalization of Vocational Education and Vocational Training. The regulation shifts the approach from supply-driven to demand-driven, with the goal of ensuring that students’ competencies match industry needs.
“We are strengthening the link between vocational education and the business world through curriculum alignment, work-based learning, internships, and competency standards that continue to be adjusted to technological developments,” said Katiman.
Indonesia and China have launched Phase II of the Indonesia-China Institute of Vocational Education and Excellent Engineers Program (ICVEEP) as a continuation of their strategic vocational education partnership. The program strengthens collaboration to improve the competencies of vocational talent in both countries.
Katiman said the second phase of ICVEEP focuses on aligning competency standards, developing joint curricula, and establishing international professional certification. The program also supports dual degrees and the cross-border mobility of skilled workers.
“International partnerships must bring improvements in learning quality, technology transfer, and strengthened educator competencies. At the same time, they must open global employment opportunities for Indonesian vocational graduates,” said Katiman.
He stressed that the Coordinating Ministry for PMK continues to encourage synergy across ministries, agencies, the business sector, and international partners. The effort is aimed at strengthening the governance of Indonesia’s vocational education system in a sustainable way.
“Collaboration between governments, educational institutions, industry, and international partners is an important foundation in building Indonesia’s superior human resources. Therefore, its governance must be transformed on the basis of labor-market and industrial needs,” said Katiman. (Annaila Azzahra-EN)
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