Labour Minister: Vocational Training Supports Recovery in Post-Disaster Aceh and North Sumatra

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Minister of Manpower (Menaker) Yassierli stated that vocational training is one of the efforts to support medium- and long-term recovery following the flash flood disaster in Aceh and North Sumatra.

The Minister, in his statement in Jakarta on Wednesday, said that the Ministry of Manpower (Kemnaker) through the Centre for Vocational Training and Productivity (BBPVP) is preparing vocational training based on post-disaster needs, as well as enhancing work skills and entrepreneurship.

“In addition, there is also strengthening of productivity so that the community can become economically independent again,” said Yassierli.

Furthermore, he emphasised that recovery does not stop at initial assistance, but must continue until the community is truly recovered and empowered.

“Disasters may destroy buildings, but they must not destroy spirits. Let us turn this calamity into a point to rise stronger and more prepared to face the future,” he said.

The Professor from Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) also called on all stakeholders, from local governments, the business world, training institutions, to the community, to continue synergising to accelerate recovery and strengthen human resources (HR) in North Sumatra and Aceh.

Meanwhile, Kemnaker is distributing Kemnaker Cares assistance worth Rp32,252,643,000 to accelerate economic recovery and help communities affected by the disaster in North Sumatra and Aceh.

The assistance is allocated for several programmes as follows. First, vocational training for North Sumatra for 4,516 people with a budget of Rp16,531,704,000 and for Aceh for 2,438 people with a budget of Rp8,918,439,000.

Furthermore, there is a Labour-Intensive Programme with 40 activity packages worth Rp4,000,000,000 to create temporary employment and stimulate the local economy in the affected areas.

Kemnaker also has an Independent Worker (TKM) programme with 400 aid packages worth Rp2,000,000,000 to encourage the growth of new small businesses in the community.

In addition, there is compensation for affected workers worth Rp52,500,000, and entrepreneurial support including training and business capital with a total of Rp750,000,000.