Manpower Minister Reveals Job Training Centres Now Starting to Teach AI

Minister of Manpower Yassierli has acknowledged that the digital capabilities of Indonesia’s workforce still lag behind those of several countries considered peers. This situation presents a distinct challenge amidst the accelerating disruption of artificial intelligence, automation, and digitalisation entering the world of work. To catch up, the Ministry of Manpower has begun preparing AI and digital skills training at its job training centres. This step is designed to complement formal educational institutions, which are seen as starting to incorporate AI, automation, and digital material into their curricula, though results will only be visible in a few years. “Yes, firstly I see that, Alhamdulillah, the response from educational institutions is quite good. From several of my observations, many universities have started making AI skills, automation-related skills, and digital-related skills part of their curriculum, so our graduates, at a minimum, already possess them at a certain level,” Yassierli said during CNBC Indonesia’s Economics Update on Friday. Nevertheless, he noted that challenges remain, as graduates from the education system cannot be available immediately. Therefore, the ministry’s job training centres are positioned as a support to accelerate the strengthening of workforce competencies. “The challenge is that educational institutions typically prepare now, but graduates may only emerge two or three years later. What can we do? The Ministry of Manpower is very concerned here, so we have training centres. These centres serve as a backup for finishing or complementing skills,” he explained. Yassierli stressed that AI and digital skills training has now commenced at these centres. The programmes are prepared for both workers and prospective workers seeking to improve their competencies to be better prepared for changing industry needs. “What we are doing now is starting AI training in our centres, digital skills training in our centres,” he stated. He added that the ministry is also partnering with industry players to strengthen training materials. Several multinational companies in the information technology and AI fields have reportedly assisted with curriculum development and instructor training. “We cooperate with partners when we need curriculum development and so forth, and Alhamdulillah, multinational companies in the IT and AI fields are willing to help us develop the curriculum,” Yassierli said. “They are willing to provide Training of Trainers so that instructors at the Ministry of Manpower are also ready to train those who want to improve competencies related to AI, digital, and so on,” he continued. According to Yassierli, strengthening digital skills cannot be postponed. Based on comparisons with other countries, Indonesia’s position still lags in measures of digital skills competitiveness. “It is a must, when indeed… until now we still see, when we compare with external benchmarks, there is actually a measure called the Digital Skill Index or Digital Skill Competitiveness Index for Indonesia. We are indeed still below when we look at benchmarks from countries we consider peers. So the solution is how the Ministry of Manpower can provide upskilling and reskilling,” he said. He assessed that the threat of technological disruption cannot be faced merely with the fear that AI will replace human jobs. According to him, the primary response that must be prepared is ensuring workers continuously improve their competencies, whether through upskilling or reskilling. “Everyone agrees that whatever the current disruption threat, the solution is one: skill competency. So the programme, for example, for those already working, if their business becomes irrelevant, the campaign is reskilling,” he explained. “If the business is still relevant but there is a threat from AI, automation, and so on, the solution is upskilling. So it remains all about skilling, in the form of upskilling and reskilling. Because if we want to remain successful, sustain good productivity, and continue innovating, the key is one: skill or competency,” he concluded.