National Industry Takes Role in Strengthening Migrant Worker Competencies

Efforts to improve the competence of Indonesian workers to compete in the global market have received support through the establishment of the Banten Migrant Center. The initiative, involving PT Krakatau Steel (Persero) Tbk/Krakatau Steel Group, the Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI), the Banten Provincial Government, and the Alumni Association of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa University (IKA Untirta), is expected to become a centre for skills development and the preparation of internationally standardised labour. The signing of the memorandum of understanding for the formation of the Banten Migrant Center took place at SMK YPWKS, Cilegon City, on Monday (15/6/2026). The presence of the Banten Migrant Center is hoped to serve as a platform for preparing workforce competencies and opening access to legal, safe, and quality job placements for the people of Banten in various destination countries. YPWKS, which since 2012 has been named the Krakatau Steel Education Foundation (YPKS), is an educational foundation owned by Krakatau Steel that oversees various levels of education from kindergarten to vocational high school and contributes to producing quality human resources for Cilegon City and Banten Province. PT Krakatau Steel Tbk President Director Akbar Djohan stated that the formation of the Banten Migrant Center is a strategic step to strengthen synergy between the government, the education sector, and industry in preparing competent and globally competitive Indonesian workers. “As a state-owned enterprise, Krakatau Steel has a moral responsibility to deliver concrete employment solutions for the people of Banten. Through this collaboration, we want to ensure that the developing industrial ecosystem in Banten can provide broader benefits through competency enhancement and job opportunities,” said Akbar Djohan, who is also Chairman of the Indonesian Iron & Steel Industry Association and Chairman of the Indonesian Logistics & Forwarder Association. According to him, Krakatau Steel Group is ready to optimise its educational assets, training facilities, and industrial environment to support the development of skilled workers that meet the needs of the international job market. “We hope this synergy can produce outstanding talents with global competencies, thereby enhancing the competitiveness and dignity of Indonesian workers in the international market,” he explained. Akbar Djohan also emphasised that the formation of the Banten Migrant Center aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita, particularly in efforts to strengthen the development of superior, productive, and globally competitive human resources. Banten Governor Andra Soni appreciated the collaboration between the Ministry of P2MI, Krakatau Steel Group, IKA Untirta, and the Banten Provincial Government in preparing competent workers ready to compete in the global market. “We must ensure that the education and training provided truly meet the needs of industry. Through this collaboration, we hope that more Banten workers will have competence, receive protection, and gain access to decent jobs both domestically and abroad,” said Andra Soni. He also commended Krakatau Steel Group’s support in opening educational and training facilities to support workforce competency improvement. According to him, the presence of the Banten Migrant Center is expected to expand public access to legal, safe, and quality job opportunities and support efforts to reduce the unemployment rate in Banten Province. Director General of Promotion and Utilisation of Overseas Job Opportunities at the Ministry of P2MI, Dwi Setiawan Susanto, representing Minister Mukhtarudin, said Banten is the first region to integrate government, universities, vocational schools, and state-owned enterprises in one ecosystem for preparing Indonesian migrant workers. “Banten is a pilot project for implementing the President’s directives in preparing competent, protected, and globally competitive migrant workers. Through this collaboration, we want to encourage the emergence of more skilled workers capable of filling various job opportunities in the international market,” said Dwi. According to him, the Banten Migrant Center will be a platform for competency strengthening, training, and information access for prospective migrant workers, thereby supporting the improvement of human resource quality while expanding safe, legal, and sustainable job opportunities.