Indonesia Builds Green Workforce for Energy Transition

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology has partnered with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) to accelerate the country’s energy transition.

Supported by the Swiss government, the collaboration aims to build a “green-collar” workforce capable of driving Indonesia toward its Net Zero Emissions target.

The initiative, known as the Renewable Energy Skills Development (RESD) program, is a bilateral cooperation with the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

Now entering its second phase, the program is designed to ensure Indonesia has the skilled human resources needed to design, install, operate, and maintain renewable energy infrastructure.

“This program is highly strategic. It not only involves curriculum development but also builds a renewable energy vocational education system directly connected to the business and industrial sectors, ensuring graduates are employable,” said Khairul Munadi, Director General of Higher Education, on Thursday, January 22, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He described RESD as a concrete model of impactful higher education, strengthening vocational training as an engine of applied skills and reinforcing the national ecosystem for green skills.

The program rests on three strategic pillars. Under the Formal Education pillar, RESD is establishing specialized four-year applied bachelor’s degree (Diploma 4) programs in renewable energy at five state polytechnics.

The Non-Formal Education pillar focuses on competency-based training for technicians in solar power (PLTS), hybrid PLTS-diesel systems, and micro-hydro (PLTMH) technology at national vocational training centers (BPVP).

Meanwhile, the Information and Communication pillar seeks to strengthen the broader ecosystem for green skills, ensuring that Indonesia’s energy transition is supported by a well-informed and capable workforce.

Khairul highlighted the importance of enhancing lecturers' and instructors' capacity through support from Swiss applied universities, alongside the rollout of renewable energy specialization programs at state polytechnics. “Well-designed national and international collaboration can deliver real impact, not just fulfill administrative agreements,” he said.

Prahoro Yulijanto Nurtjahyo, Head of the ESDM Human Resources Development Agency, emphasized that vocational education must remain closely aligned with industry needs to stay relevant.

He noted that Phase 2 of RESD is expected to produce more than 900 graduates with applied bachelor’s degrees, a crucial step toward meeting Indonesia’s Net Zero Emissions target by 2060, or earlier.

He added that Switzerland’s commitment to vocational education is backed by more than 50 years of experience, making the partnership a strong foundation for Indonesia’s energy transition.

Phase 1 of RESD, implemented between December 2020 and July 2025, successfully developed industry-based renewable energy curricula and supported the establishment of Diploma 4 programs in renewable energy at five state polytechnics.

It also introduced competency-based training programs for technicians in solar, hybrid, and micro-hydro systems at four vocational training centers.

Technical support has been provided by leading Swiss institutions, including FHNW and OST Universities of Applied Sciences and the Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education.

The collaboration marks a shift toward high-impact education, moving beyond administrative frameworks to create a tangible workforce ready to lead Indonesia’s transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources. ***