Ady TD Achmad, Andin Aditya Rahman
In preparation for the ever closer start of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration (Kemenakertrans) is currently developing standards for professional competencies for the Indonesian workforce.
This undertaking will be implemented by improving the National Work Competency Standards (
Standar Kompetensi Kerja Nasional Indonesia, or SKKNI). With 252 established SKKNIs, Muhaimin Iskandar, Minister of Manpower and Transmigration, believes that the competency standards under SKKNIs can be further improved by closer synergy between education and work training systems.
“Such synergy will lead to improvements in work competencies, so that demand in the job market can be immediately filled, new work opportunity expansion is realized, and new entrepreneurs are encouraged,” said the Minister last Sunday.
Khairul Anwar, Director General of Training and Productivity at Kemenakertrans, added that the education and work training system must be able to prepare human resources of first-class quality, skills, professionalism, and work competencies that are relevant to current condition and demands.
Mr. Anwar further asserted that Indonesia has great potential in terms of human and natural resources to welcome the AEC. To develop this potential, he stated that Kemenakertrans, along with other relevant government institutions, are currently developing the existing SKKNIs including incorporating regionally and internationally acknowledged work competencies and skills into programs and qualifications.
“One of the most vital factors that we must carry out is developing all education and training institutions to produce a competent and professional workforce,” Mr. Anwar added.
According to Khairul, SKKNIs serve as a vital reference for refining education and training programs, as well as certifying manpower competencies. Additionally, it also functions as a guideline for selecting, recruiting, and appointing employees and planning career developments.
The standards established by SKKNIs also help education and training institutions to design their programs and curriculum and further serve as a critical reference for Profession Certification Agencies (
Lembaga Sertifikasi Profesi, or LSP) to ensure worker capabilities can satisfy their respective requirements.
(hot/kc)