BANTUL | INDATANEWS.COM - Indonesia's Minister of Manpower, Yassierli, has highlighted the vital role of vocational education and training in preparing workers for increasingly dynamic competition in the labour market. Practical training enables people to improve their skills and adapt to the needs of businesses and industry. It also creates opportunities for them to establish their own businesses.
Yassierli made the remarks on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, during a visit to the
National Vocational Training Programme at the Vocational Training and Productivity Service Unit (Satpel PVP) in Bantul, Yogyakarta Special Region.
Under the current programme, the training centre is providing instruction to 96 participants. The programme aims to prepare them to enter the labour market as skilled workers or equip them with the capabilities needed to become self-employed. It covers seven vocational fields designed to meet labour market demands.
"The government remains committed to helping people acquire new skills (skilling), develop their existing competencies (upskilling) and retrain for different occupations (reskilling). The participation of 96 people demonstrates growing awareness of the importance of technical expertise in competing in the labour market and meeting the needs of businesses and industry,"
Yassierli said at the training centre.
In his view, improving vocational skills is an important step towards preparing workers for changing industrial requirements. Formal education alone is not sufficient. Employees and jobseekers must also possess technical competencies that they can apply directly in the workplace.
Seven Training Fields Tailored to Labour Market Needs
The National Vocational Training Programme at the Satpel PVP Bantul service unit offers seven areas of training, allowing participants to develop skills that match their interests and the demands of the working world.
In information and communication technology (ICT), the curriculum covers graphic design and advanced office applications. The training provides knowledge and practical skills required for information technology roles, document processing and visual design.
In garment manufacturing, participants learn clothing production and how to operate industrial sewing machines. These skills can help meet workforce requirements in the textile and garment industries while providing a foundation for establishing their own tailoring businesses.
The hospitality and food services field offers training in food preparation and baking. The skills acquired can help participants enter the hospitality industry or establish their own food or bakery businesses.
Beauty training covers make-up and hairstyling. It is designed for participants seeking employment in the cosmetics and beauty industry or looking to establish their own beauty services.
In automotive training, participants learn how to maintain and repair conventional motorcycles and motorcycles equipped with fuel injection systems. These competencies address demand for vehicle maintenance and repair services and can be applied in existing workshops or in self-employment.
The manufacturing welding course provides instruction in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW). This qualification is relevant to jobs in manufacturing and other occupations requiring specialised welding expertise.
Electrical and refrigeration training completes the programme, covering lighting installation and air-conditioning technician training. Both skill sets are needed to install, maintain and repair electrical systems and cooling equipment.
The variety of training options gives participants opportunities to acquire technical skills according to their interests and individual capabilities. By obtaining qualifications aligned with labour market requirements, they are expected to improve their employment prospects or develop independent sources of income through self-employment.
GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS VOCATIONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT: Minister of Manpower
Yassierli reaffirms the government's commitment to helping people acquire new skills (skilling), improve existing competencies (upskilling) and retrain for different occupations (reskilling). The aim is to provide qualifications that meet the needs of businesses and industry. (PHOTO: Ministry of Manpower Press and Public Relations Office/Kemnaker)
Free Training Opens Up New Opportunities for Young People
Yassierli urged the public, particularly young jobseekers and people planning a career change, to take advantage of the government's free
National Vocational Training Programme.
He emphasised that vocational training offers jobseekers a strategic opportunity to strengthen their capabilities and prepare more effectively for recruitment and selection processes. Workers seeking to move into different occupations can also acquire new competencies suited to the requirements of their intended fields.
Information on registration, available training places and course options can be accessed through the official SIAPkerja platform at kemnaker.go.id, particularly through the "Skillhub" menu.
Access to this information is intended to make it easier for prospective participants to identify suitable training opportunities based on their needs and interests. They can also use the available information to select vocational fields with promising employment prospects or business opportunities.
Free vocational training is an important means of expanding access to skills development. When choosing a course, participants should consider their personal interests, individual abilities and labour market requirements to ensure that they can apply their newly acquired knowledge as effectively as possible.
Through practical training, participants are expected not only to become better prepared to enter the workforce but also to gain the knowledge needed to establish productive businesses of their own. In this way, vocational education can help improve workforce quality while expanding economic opportunities for the public.
SEVEN VOCATIONAL FIELDS ON OFFER: The
National Vocational Training Programme at the Satpel PVP Bantul service unit covers seven fields: information technology, garment manufacturing, hospitality and food services, beauty, automotive technology, manufacturing welding, and electrical and refrigeration technology. (PHOTO: Ministry of Manpower Press and Public Relations Office/Kemnaker)
Manpower Ministry Plans to Develop Training Centres into Talent Hubs
Indonesia's Ministry of Manpower plans to gradually transform vocational training centres across the country into high-performing talent development and incubation centres. These facilities are intended to nurture skilled professionals who can adapt to the changing demands of the future workplace.
As part of this development, training centres are expected to play an important role in preparing workers for evolving industrial requirements. Their responsibilities will extend beyond delivering technical instruction to helping participants develop competencies that support entry into employment or the establishment of their own businesses.
Technological change and evolving industrial needs make continuous skills development essential. For this reason, acquiring new competencies (skilling), improving existing capabilities (upskilling) and retraining for different occupations (reskilling) are key components of an adaptable labour market policy.
Skilling focuses on acquiring new abilities. Upskilling involves expanding and improving existing competencies, while reskilling prepares people for different occupational roles by equipping them with new qualifications.
These three approaches can help people respond more effectively to changing occupational profiles and economic developments. Through training programmes tailored to labour market needs, the government aims to bring the demand for skilled workers into closer alignment with industry requirements.
The National Vocational Training Programme in Bantul, which involves 96 participants across seven training fields, forms part of these efforts. The government expects programmes of this kind to widen access to vocational qualifications, strengthen workforce competitiveness and better prepare people for labour market challenges.
By improving access to training and aligning course content with industrial needs, the Ministry of Manpower aims to develop a more skilled and productive workforce capable of adapting to changes in the world of work. At the same time, the practical competencies acquired are expected to encourage entrepreneurship and create additional economic opportunities across the country's regions.
(IDNC)REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala