Central Kalimantan Launches Vocational Education Programme to Prepare Young People with Excellence and Skills

Palangka Raya — The Central Kalimantan Provincial Government has launched a Vocational Education Development Programme to prepare young people who are excellent and skilled, whilst ready to face the working world.

“This is a strategic step by the regional government in promoting improved education quality, whilst preparing young people who have skills and competitiveness,” said the Acting Head of Central Kalimantan’s Education Office, Reza Prabowo, in Palangka Raya on Monday.

The vocational programme is part of the strategic education sector programme initiated by Central Kalimantan Governor Agustiar Sabran.

The programme is designed to provide practice-based education to participants, particularly in the agriculture sector and other productive fields.

“This vocational programme is designed with a quota of approximately 2,000 participants who undertake one year of education with a learning system that combines theory and direct practical application,” he explained.

The learning method involves approximately 30 per cent classroom or theoretical learning, whilst the remaining 70 per cent is carried out through practical field work.

Reza explained that with the implementation of this programme, learners not only understand concepts academically, but also learn to manage productive activities that have economic value.

“So when they do practice work, for example planting or other agricultural activities, the results obtained can have economic value. This means participants also feel the direct benefits of the activities they undertake,” he said.

The vocational programme involves not only the Education Office but is also the result of cross-sector collaboration with several other regional agencies.

Some of the institutions involved include the Agriculture Office, the Labour and Transmigration Office, and the Forestry Office, which provide technical support in implementing the programme.

Additionally, the programme is supported by collaboration with higher education institutions, including through a Diploma 1 (D1) education programme implemented jointly with Muhammadiyah University Palangka Raya.

This cross-sector synergy is expected to create a robust vocational education ecosystem whilst opening new employment opportunities for young people in Central Kalimantan.