Indonesia and Switzerland Launch Dual-System Vocational Education Program to Boost Human Resources Quality
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: In a significant move to enhance the quality of human resources, Indonesia and Switzerland have joined forces to implement a dual-system vocational education program. This program integrates classroom learning with hands-on industrial experience to better prepare students for the workforce.
The initiative is a collaborative effort between Indonesia’s Industrial Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDMI) and Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita emphasized the importance of vocational education and training in aligning with the rapidly evolving demands of industry. Speaking on Thursday, he said, “Vocational education and training have been carefully prepared to meet and anticipate industry needs in line with technological and economic developments. Therefore, we continue striving to ensure alignment with the business and industrial sectors, not only for the present but also for future industrial development.”
The collaboration is divided into two phases. The first phase, which was initially completed in 2022, was extended until 2024 due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The second phase is set to run from 2024 to 2027, with a broader reach to include more educational units under the Ministry of Industry.
BPSDMI head Masrokhan stated that the second phase would offer an opportunity for expansion, involving more educational institutions under the ministry. This expansion will help adapt the dual-system vocational education model on a national scale, contributing to the development of high-quality industrial human resources.
The Ministry of Industry oversees 13 vocational higher education institutions—comprising 11 polytechnics and two community academies—as well as nine vocational high schools and seven industrial education and training centers. These institutions are vital in the ongoing effort to produce highly skilled industrial professionals.
Masrokhan further explained that the ministry’s vocational education units have already been implementing the dual-system model, which has gained popularity among students and has proven highly effective in producing work-ready industrial professionals.
With the dual-system vocational education model continuing to expand, Indonesia aims to strengthen its industrial workforce and better meet the evolving demands of the global economy.
