Deputy Labour Minister Highlights Major Challenges for Young People Entering the Workforce

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Deputy Labour Minister Afriansyah Noor highlighted the importance of preparing young people for the changing world of work amid rapid digital economic transformation. Mr Noor stated that strengthening skills and ensuring equal access to job opportunities are crucial for young people to compete in an increasingly dynamic labour market. He made the remarks at the launch of the Youth for Work and Inclusive Digital Entrepreneurship (ANDAL) programme organised by YCAB Foundation in Jakarta on Tuesday, 26 May 2026. Mr Noor said the current process of preparing young workers faces several obstacles. These obstacles primarily relate to uneven access to education, training, and skills development across regions. The government is pushing for expanded access to job training and continuous skills enhancement. These steps are necessary to better prepare young people for entering the workforce. Mr Noor noted that the acceleration of economic digitalisation must be matched by improvements in human capital quality. Human resources need to keep up with the evolving demands of industry. “The government will continue to strengthen vocational training transformation to be more responsive to industry developments and labour market needs,” Mr Noor said in a statement on Wednesday, 27 May 2026. These principles include expanding job opportunities and creating discrimination-free work environments. “Inclusivity is a key principle in national labour policy, including efforts to broaden job access and foster discrimination-free workplaces,” he added.