Labour Minister: Competency Certification Must Gain Global Industry Recognition

The Minister of Manpower, Yassierli, has emphasised the importance of competency certification, stating that it should serve as more than just proof of training, but must also be recognised by industries at an international level.

Speaking in Jakarta on Monday, the Minister noted that certification must reflect the actual competencies required by the modern workforce. “We must ensure that we do not merely possess certifications that are not recognised by industry. Therefore, competencies and their certifications must gain recognition, ideally reaching an international level,” he said.

According to the Minister, labour competency requirements are constantly evolving alongside developments in technology, artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and the green transition. Consequently, he added, competency development must be continuously adjusted to technological progress and industrial needs to ensure the workforce remains relevant.

To address these challenges, the Minister has called on companies to develop their training centres into ‘Centres of Excellence’ within specific competency fields. The experience, technology, and expertise held by industries can serve as the foundation for building these centres of excellence as benchmarks for competency development.

“If someone undergoes an internship at a company that serves as a Centre of Excellence, the hope is that their competency will be recognised by other companies within the same industry,” he stated.

He further noted that internship programmes should be directed so that they do not merely end with work experience, but instead produce measurable competencies relevant to industrial needs. “Therefore, companies are expected to increase their commitment to providing internship and training opportunities for more participants,” he said.

Additionally, the Minister requested that companies take a larger role in preparing ‘future skills’ through training and apprenticeships. He stated that industrial involvement is essential to ensure labour competencies remain aligned with technological advancements and the needs of the working world.

“Industry should not only be users of labour but also bear the responsibility of preparing labour competencies to meet future needs. We want companies to become increasingly active in the preparation of future skills,” he concluded.