Free training eases unemployment

TANGERANG: Tangerang Manpower Agency expressed confidence that its free job training has helped to ease unemployment in the municipality.

"Last year, 240 job seekers participated in the program, and another 200 joined this year. Seventy percent of them are employed now," the agency head Adang Turwana was quoted as saying by Tempointeraktif.com on Thursday.

According to him, 35,000 people registered as unemployed at the office since 2001. The industry could only absorb 12,000 people on average per year to fill 15,000 vacancies.

The agency has offered a free three-month training since last year in tailoring, mechanical work, electricity repairs and hairstyling.

"The administration allocated Rp 500 million from the budget to hold this program. We give each participant Rp 5,000 a day for their transportation expenses," Adang explained.--JP