Wardiman enlists Kadin for apprenticeship program

JAKARTA (JP): The government yesterday secured the participation of the powerful Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) in the high school industrial apprenticeship program to be launched in July.

Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro, who signed the agreement on the government's behalf, got more than he bargained for because 32 industrial associations affiliated to Kadin will also be joining in the program.

These associations include the Indonesian Forestry Society (MPI), the Association of Electronic & Electrical Home Appliances Industry, and the Motor Vehicle Industry Association (Gaikindo).

The government is launching the so-called dual education system in July at many of its technical high schools.

The system calls for a combination of theoretical as well as practical knowledge. But for this the government needs the support of industry to help students get exposure to the basic industrial experience.

"We are very grateful for Kadin's help in making the system succeed," Wardiman said in his speech during the signing ceremony. "I hope this cooperation will be mutually beneficial."

Kadin Chairman Aburizal Bakrie welcomed the agreement as part of the industrial community's efforts at strengthening the quality of Indonesian workers, which is vital to ensure industrial competitiveness.

However, Aburizal, who is owner of the Bakrie business group, quickly pointed out that there was no guarantee that these apprentices would eventually be employed at their place of training.

The agreement is Kadin's contribution to help schools in the country produce skilled graduates so that they have a better chance of getting good jobs, he told reporters after the signing ceremony.

The system is also intended to improve the poor image that technical high schools have had for a long time; that they are a last resort for junior high school graduates who are poor students.

Employers have, in the past, given preferential treatment to ordinary high school graduates rather than technical high school graduates because they were easier to train.

Wardiman said all of this is changing with the industrial apprenticeships program. he said that the technical high schools, which are four times more expensive to build, should become more prestigious with the new scheme.

The government is currently considering further tax incentives to convince companies to join in the scheme. (01)