West Java Targets Zero Youth Unemployment by 2029
West Java has set a major target in the field of employment. The West Java Provincial Government wants to ensure that more young people have access to training, jobs, and capital so that the unemployment rate can be reduced. The regional government is even targeting that by 2029 there will be no more unemployed young people in West Java.
The target is being pursued through various competency improvement programmes, one of which is the SMK Go Global Programme. This programme targets graduates of senior high schools, vocational high schools, and Islamic senior high schools who are being prepared to enter the workforce, including opening up opportunities to work in the international market.
A total of 1,280 graduates of senior high schools, vocational high schools, and Islamic senior high schools from West Java have passed the selection process to take part in the programme. They will receive training at a number of vocational institutions and universities with materials tailored to industry needs.
West Java Regional Secretary Herman Suryatman said that these efforts cannot be carried out by the government alone. Collaboration between ministries, regional governments, universities, and various parties is considered important to expand job opportunities for the younger generation.
“This is a great collaboration scheme, where the relevant ministry, together with universities, the government and universities collaborate to prepare our children to participate in the global job market through the SMK Global programme,” Herman said while attending the Kick Off of the SMK Go Global Programme at Bandung Technology University, Bandung City, Wednesday (26/8/2026).
One of the main focuses of the strategy is to expand the programme’s reach to various regions of West Java. The regional government does not want training and job access to be concentrated only in certain cities.
Herman said the government will involve all state and private universities to expand access to skills improvement and job opportunities.
“And we will keep pushing, we will expand not only to a few universities. We will encourage all state and private universities,” he said.
The network will also be developed down to the district, sub-district, and village and urban ward levels. With broader regional coverage, the government hopes that more young people will be aware of and able to take advantage of skills development programmes.