Indonesia is projected to need more than 5.3 million green workers by\n2029. The Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Federal Republic\nof Germany, Oliver Sperling, believes this demand must be balanced with\ninvestment in skills, vocational education, and industry\ninvolvement.<\/p>\n
Sperling stated that green jobs do not solely depend on policy and\ntechnological developments. The success of the transition towards a\ngreen economy is heavily determined by the workforce\u2019s ability to\noperate and develop such technologies.<\/p>\n
\u201cPolicy can determine the direction and technology can provide us\nwith the tools. However, the most important ingredient for success is\ntalent. Commitment only yields results when we invest in people,\u201d\nSperling said during the Indonesia Green Jobs Conference (IGJC) 2026 in\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
According to Sperling, the need for workers with green skills will\nincrease alongside Indonesia\u2019s investments in renewable energy, circular\nproduction, energy efficiency, and low-carbon technology. The\ndevelopment of green skills, he noted, should be positioned as an\ninvestment to meet green job demands while simultaneously supporting\neconomic transformation.<\/p>\n
Germany has collaborated with Indonesia in the development of\nvocational education and training for over two decades. Sperling noted\nthat this cooperation must adapt to the changing labour market needs\nresulting from the green transition. \u201cInvesting in green skills is a\ndirect investment in the future,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n
Sperling stated that the creation of green jobs is not the sole\nresponsibility of the government. The business world, industry,\neducational institutions, civil society, youth, and the innovation\nsector all play a role in preparing the workforce for this sector.<\/p>\n
He cited several German-Indonesian collaborations that combine\ntechnological development with workforce skill enhancement. One example\nis a partnership between a German company and a development finance\ninstitution to launch the first mobile hydrogen training programme in\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
This programme equips Indonesian technicians and engineers with the\nskills required to work in the hydrogen sector. According to Sperling,\nthe advancement of clean energy technology must proceed in tandem with\nworkforce readiness.<\/p>\n
Another example is the solar-powered cold storage facility at the\nBogor Agricultural Institute (IPB). While the technology for the\nfacility was provided by a German company, its operation still requires\ntechnical personnel capable of running the cooling system efficiently.\n\u201cTechnology only works if skilled technicians are available,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Sperling also highlighted a Siemens programme that provides\nvocational high school (SMK) students with practical experience at the\ncompany\u2019s service centre in Cilegon. Through cooperation with the\nGerman-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EKONID), students\ngain experience in a professional working environment before\ngraduation.<\/p>\n
He noted that Siemens, Bayer, Astra Group, and Daimler Commercial\nVehicles have created more than 400 apprenticeship opportunities.<\/p>\n
This scheme demonstrates the link between vocational education and\nindustrial needs in preparing the workforce for green jobs. \u201cSchools\nbuild the theoretical framework, and young people master expertise\nthrough practice,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Sperling also emphasised that green job development must encompass a\nbroader group. Opportunities to acquire skills and enter the green\nlabour market, he said, must be available to women, youth, and workers\nin the informal sector.<\/p>\n
Sperling noted that the younger generation present at the conference\nwill be a vital part of the development of Indonesia\u2019s green labour\nmarket. Students, researchers, and innovators are not only beneficiaries\nof this transformation but will also determine the types of jobs and\nskills needed in the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to hear your perspectives as we seek ways to build a future\nthat is truly inspiring and engaging for the next generation,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
In addition to creating jobs in Indonesia, the green transition also\nopens opportunities for labour mobility. Sperling stated that Germany\nhas experience in energy efficiency and hydrogen that can be shared with\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
This cooperation has the potential to open opportunities for\nIndonesian workers to develop careers in Germany. However, according to\nhim, labour mobility should not be viewed merely as the movement of\nworkers to German companies or projects.<\/p>\n
The experience gained by workers through German companies, workshops,\nor energy projects can also be used to enhance the capacity of\nIndonesian industry and the economy.<\/p>\n
To support this, Germany and Indonesia are working to ensure that\nlabour qualifications and certifications are recognisable and comparable\nin both countries.<\/p>\n
Sperling believes Indonesia has the foundation to develop green jobs.\nBappenas, along with relevant ministries, has mapped the key skills\nrequired and is aligning vocational education with the demands of an\nincreasingly green economy.<\/p>\n
He mentioned that Indonesia\u2019s green workforce development roadmap\nprojects a need for more than 5.3 million green workers by 2029. \u201cNow is\nthe time to move towards action,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to Sperling, Indonesia\u2019s next challenge is not merely\nsetting green job targets, but ensuring that society has access to\nrelevant training, obtains certifications that meet industrial needs,\nand views green jobs as a promising career choice.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen young professionals feel that they have a future, that is when\ncommitment produces impact,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-needs-5-3-million-green-workers-by-2029-key-skills-required-1788347250", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }