Wardiman enlists Kadin for apprenticeship program

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)