Indonesia, Switzerland Strengthen Cooperation in Vocational Education to Support Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia and Switzerland have explored opportunities to strengthen cooperation in vocational education during the “Ministerial Visit & Signing Ceremony: Advancing Skills for Indonesia’s Sustainable and Competitive Future” forum held in Bandung, West Java, on October 2.

Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Stella Christie said the government is prioritizing the advancement of vocational education institutions, including polytechnics and vocational schools, as part of its strategy to achieve the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision.

“This effort is critical to realizing the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision,” Christie noted in a statement issued Friday.

She outlined key strategies to boost vocational education, such as aligning curricula with market demands, producing industry-ready graduates, and enhancing educator quality and infrastructure. The government also plans to increase doctoral scholarships from 1,100 to 2,000, expand polytechnics in priority sectors, and promote the commercialization of research in partnership with industries.

Christie emphasized that Indonesia could learn from Switzerland’s best practices, particularly in strengthening the connection between vocational training and industry needs. “I often highlight Switzerland as a model to better understand the potential of polytechnics and vocational education,” she remarked, noting that polytechnic graduates in Switzerland earn salaries comparable to university graduates, reflecting strong industry alignment.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Yuliot Tanjung underscored the role of vocational education in supporting Indonesia’s energy transition.

“Building infrastructure is not enough. Skilled, adaptable human resources are also vital to achieving national energy goals, and vocational education plays a key role,” he stated.