P2MI Minister Uses This Strategy to Prepare 500,000 Competent Migrant Workers

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI) is targeting the preparation of 500,000 prospective Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) by 2029. The target is being pursued through the optimisation of the SMK Go Global programme.

SMK Go Global is a government programme aimed at preparing vocational high school (SMK) graduates who are competent, certified, and able to compete in the international job market.

Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) Mukhtarudin said that SMK Go Global is one of President Prabowo Subianto’s priority programmes, as it connects vocational education with the needs of overseas labour markets. He added that the ministry is targeting the preparation of 40,000 prospective PMI this year. This number will increase to 140,000 in 2027, 180,000 in 2028, and 140,000 in 2029.

“So that by 2029, a total of 500,000 must be prepared, ready to work and ready to have the competence to work abroad. That is roughly the programme of SMK Go Global,” he told reporters at the Industrial Training Centre (BDI) in East Jakarta on Wednesday (26/8/2026).

Mukhtarudin also noted that there has been a change in the pattern of preparing PMI, using a downstream-to-upstream approach. In other words, the government first examines job orders, destination countries, and the sectors and types of jobs required before determining the competencies and training for prospective workers.

“It is hoped that of the 40,000 we train in 2026, all will have readiness in terms of technical readiness, technical skills, language, and certification. So they are ready to be placed to work abroad in the sectors we have prepared. That is the pattern,” he explained.

Several countries are destinations for the programme, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Turkey, and several Eastern and Western European countries that are part of the European Union.

Mukhtarudin further explained that in the first batch of 2026, the SMK Go Global programme is focused on upskilling or competency enhancement due to the relatively short training period. Of around 14,000 applicants, participants who already have basic competencies will be prioritised, while those who are not yet ready can join the regular programme starting in 2027. Participants in this programme are not limited to SMK graduates but also include high school, diploma, and bachelor’s degree graduates.

Mukhtarudin considers overseas job opportunities important for Indonesia to capitalise on amid its demographic bonus and the ageing population phenomenon in several countries. Through the SMK Go Global programme, the government aims to ensure that workers sent abroad have competence, certification, and language skills, and depart through official channels to receive maximum protection.