Education Forum 2026 becomes collaborative space to strengthen vocational education
The Education Forum 2026, initiated by the industrial process technology and instrumentation company Endress+Hauser Indonesia, serves as a collaborative space between the industrial sector and the education world to strengthen vocational education. The forum also bridges talent gaps and prepares human resources aligned with the needs of future industries. “The most important thing is not how sophisticated the technology we produce is, but how that technology can be utilised by humans to provide real benefits to customers,” said Henry Chia in a written press release received in Jakarta on Saturday. According to Henry, talent development is a crucial factor in supporting industrial growth. He revealed that over the past five years, Endress+Hauser’s business in Indonesia has grown by up to 40 percent, accompanied by a 4 percent increase in employment opportunities and a 10 percent rise in the number of internship programme participants. The commitment to human resource development is also a focus for Endress+Hauser Group globally. Head of Global Dual Education at Endress+Hauser Group Services, Jens Kroeger, emphasised the importance of industry involvement in supporting talent development through partnerships with educational institutions. According to him, companies can contribute by providing structured internship programmes, knowledge exchange platforms, online learning environments, and hands-on practical experience relevant to industry needs. As part of these efforts, Endress+Hauser Indonesia also awarded scholarships to outstanding students from various universities related to the automation industry, including Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Politeknik Industri ATMI, Politeknik Manufaktur (POLMAN) Bandung, and Swiss German University. “This is the second time this scholarship programme has been implemented by Endress+Hauser Indonesia. We want this activity to be carried out regularly,” said HR Head of Endress+Hauser Indonesia, Vivi Sutardi. In addition to partnering with educational institutions, Vivi said the company also involves its customers in the activities to see firsthand the various programmes and contributions Endress+Hauser has made in talent development. “For us, it is an achievement when customers trust graduates of this programme to join their companies,” said Vivi. The Education Forum 2026 itself was divided into two sessions discussing the challenges and opportunities of future talent development. The first session adopted the theme “Dual Vocational Education as a Strategic Anchor in Times of Uncertainty”, highlighting the strategic role of dual vocational education in facing global economic uncertainty. Meanwhile, the second session carried the theme “AI and the Future of Work: Rethinking Vocational Talent Development”, which discussed the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) developments on the world of work and the importance of transforming vocational education to remain relevant to industry needs. Through this forum, Endress+Hauser hopes to strengthen synergy between the education and industrial sectors while opening more opportunities for the younger generation to develop the competencies needed in the workforce. “Through this activity, we hope students can find job opportunities that match their competencies and skills,” added Vivi Sutardi.