Kadin expands industrial apprenticeship program

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) has agreed to expand its industrial apprenticeship program, previously restricted to students of formal schools, to people who attend short courses as well.

The agreement was signed on Monday between the Director for Non-formal Education, Youths and Sports Slamet Rahardjo and Kadin's director for human resource development Laurence A. Manullang.

Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro, whose idea it was to launch the apprenticeship program this year, was present at the signing as was Kadin Chairman Aburizal Bakrie.

The ministry also supervises the activities of informal education institutions which provide education largely for those who drop out of school, mostly for financial reasons. With the signing of the memorandum of understanding, the apprenticeship program is now also open to them.

Kadin has so far enlisted the support of around 6,000 companies to provide apprenticeships.

Wardiman pointed out that the number could be much higher given that currently around 140,000 companies are registered in Indonesia.

He said the industrial community in Indonesia has a social responsibility to ensure that the country's labor force is trained and has the opportunity to improve their skills.

He said about 70 percent of the 80 million strong labor force have only an elementary education background, with many not having completed the six year period.

The apprenticeship program initially was only opened to students of high technical schools. Now students attending short term courses will have equal access.

Some 20,000 colleges provide short term courses of between two weeks to six months across Indonesia and produce about 500,000 graduates each year.

The most popular courses offered include foreign languages, computers, office management, car driving, machinery, secretarial and business management.

Wardiman asked Kadin to encourage more of its members to open their doors to young apprentices.

The government is currently drafting legislation that will compel companies to accept the apprenticeship program.

Aburizal said that the government should offer more fiscal and monetary incentives for companies which join the apprenticeship program.

"No companies will refuse the program if they are given concrete incentives," he said. "For example if a company spends Rp 100 on an apprentice, it should be given Rp 150 as a tax write off." (rms)