More jobs needed for apprentices

Private and state-owned companies are being urged to lend their full support to the government-sponsored apprenticeship program for senior high school students during the upcoming school holidays.

"So far, only 40 companies with around 10,000 job openings have confirmed their participation in the program ," said Eka Sudarba, a section head at the Jakarta Office of the Ministry of Education and Culture.

The apprenticeship program will take place from June 13 to July 13.

According to Eka, the government has urged other companies to actively participate in the program so they can accommodate the other 20,000 students who have registered with the committee.

The program is designed to give students a chance to learn valuable job skills and get a taste of what it's like to be a part of the work-force.(has)