SMK Go Global Prepares Graduates for International Labor Markets

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The “SMK Go Global” program provides Vocational High School (SMK) graduates with pathways to enter the international labor market. The program integrates vocational training, competency certification, job matching, and migrant worker placement.

The initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI). It prepares SMK graduates and the general public with the competencies required by destination countries, enabling them to work abroad safely, procedurally, competently, and competitively.

Acting Head of the Industrial Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDMI), Emmy Suryandari, said the collaboration strengthens technical competencies while expanding access to overseas job placements.

“This synergy between the Ministry of Industry and KP2MI is an ideal, complementary collaboration. The Ministry of Industry can play a role in preparing the technical and professional skills of the industrial workforce,” Emmy said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday, September 4, 2026.

She added that “SMK Go Global” goes beyond providing training to prospective workers. The program encompasses mapping international labor needs, delivering training, issuing competency certifications, matching jobs, and facilitating placement.

Several countries are targeted for placement based on labor market demand, including Japan, South Korea, Germany, Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The mapping also covers European countries, as well as Turkey, Taiwan, and the Maldives.

Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI), Mukhtarudin, said the “SMK Go Global” program is designed to provide protection for migrant workers from the outset. Participants are equipped with technical skills, language proficiency, and certifications tailored to the needs of destination countries.

“SMK Go Global represents a form of protection starting from the upstream stage. Participants are provided with competencies, language skills, and certifications that align with international labor market demands,” Mukhtarudin said.

He noted that the program presents a strategic opportunity, given the demand for productive workers in various countries. Indonesia has a large working-age population, while several Asian and European nations face labor shortages due to aging populations.

“The government continues to prioritize domestic job creation. However, for citizens who wish to work abroad, we are preparing the necessary facilities and regulations,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Industry is strengthening industrial vocational education to produce a workforce that meets labor market needs. One approach being implemented is the Swiss “link and match” system, which aligns education and training with the needs of the industrial sector.

The system is applied across all Ministry of Industry educational units to ensure students are prepared to enter the workforce. The ministry’s vocational education network currently comprises 11 polytechnics, two community academies, and nine vocational high schools (SMK).

Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said vocational education plays a crucial role in cultivating a high-quality workforce that can meet industrial needs at both the national and global levels.

“Vocational education is an investment in the future. With a competent and high-quality workforce, our industry will become more productive, resilient, and globally competitive,” he said. (Misni Parjiati)