West Java Government Integrates Maung Schools with Industry

West Java Education Agency Head Purwanto explained that the signing was attended by 13 vocational high schools (SMK) and 26 business representatives. These included PT Solu Filantropi Teknologi, PT Usaha Adi Sanggoro, Hotel Novogor Bogor, and PT Sepa Coklat Indonesia. Purwanto noted there are 1,103 potential industries in West Java that can support improving the quality of SMK graduates. Meanwhile, the number of Maung SMKs in West Java totals 13 schools with 99 areas of expertise. “Industry can become a living lab for the students so they know the skills that match industry needs,” Purwanto said at the Indonesia University of Education (UPI) on Monday, 13 July 2026. West Java Regional Secretary Herman Suryatman said this MoU is one effort to resolve a number of outstanding issues, particularly regarding employment. Therefore, synergy and collaboration must be strengthened. Herman stressed that in the next five years, Indonesia will face a demographic bonus. For this reason, the West Java Provincial Government is preparing children to work or become entrepreneurs. “Our children in 2045 will become future leaders, not the opposite, a future burden,” Herman said. He added that if the demographic bonus is not handled properly, he fears Indonesia will fall into the middle-income trap.