BEKASI | INDATANEWS.COM - Minister of Manpower Yassierli has urged students at vocational higher education institutions not to rely solely on technical competencies when preparing to enter the workforce. He said communication skills, teamwork, negotiation, adaptability, and the ability to interact with others, commonly referred to as human skills, are also essential components of students' professional qualifications.
Yassierli made the remarks during a public lecture at Politeknik Mitra Industri in Bekasi on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. He reminded students that workplace demands continue to evolve. Technical abilities, therefore, must be developed alongside interpersonal competencies.
"What we want are not people who, for example, only know how to code. They code in the morning, afternoon, evening and night. But they cannot work with their team or interact with others. That is why these human skills are important," Manpower Minister Yassierli said.
Human Skills as Preparation for the Workplace
Yassierli explained that students should begin developing their human skills while they are still in college. Learning processes that provide opportunities for interaction, discussion, teamwork and engagement with people from different backgrounds can help students build these abilities.
He said it is not enough for students to understand presentation skills, communication, teamwork and negotiation merely from a theoretical perspective. Students need opportunities to practice these skills through various academic activities as well as experiences outside the classroom.
These competencies will help students when they enter workplaces that require collaboration across different fields. According to Yassierli, industry needs not only employees who can solve technical problems but also people who are capable of communicating and working effectively with other members of a team.
For that reason, he encouraged students to use their time in higher education to develop their abilities comprehensively. Technical competencies remain an important foundation, but the ability to establish professional relationships should receive the same level of attention.
In addition to professional skills, Yassierli reminded students to engage with various issues emerging in society. In his view, higher education is not solely intended to prepare graduates for the labor market. It should also produce a generation capable of conveying ideas and concerns responsibly.
COMMUNICATION AND TEAMWORK SKILLS: Manpower Minister
Yassierli emphasizes the importance of communication skills, teamwork, negotiation and adaptability for students at vocational higher education institutions. (PHOTO: Ministry of Manpower Press and Public Relations Office/Kemnaker)
Students Encouraged to Take Social Issues Seriously
Yassierli said students occupy an important position within society. He encouraged them to have the courage to express their views on issues affecting their surroundings while maintaining an appropriate attitude when delivering criticism and concerns.
"Students must be the moral vanguard of the nation. Speak your mind. Indonesia needs students who are not indifferent to society," he said.
According to
Yassierli, students' willingness to express their views is part of the dynamics of social life. At the same time, he stressed that criticism and concerns must be delivered politely, appropriately and responsibly.
He expressed hope that students would not only be active in voicing their opinions but would also be capable of understanding an issue comprehensively before taking a position on it. Such an attitude, he said, is part of the process through which students develop their character as future professionals as well as members of society.
Yassierli also reminded students not to allow their time in higher education to pass without making the most of it. He encouraged them to take advantage of every opportunity to gain experience, whether through academic activities, student organizations, projects or engagement with
industry.
STUDENTS ENCOURAGED TO EXPRESS THEIR IDEAS: Manpower Minister Yassierli encourages students to express their ideas and concerns with courage while remaining appropriate, polite and responsible. (PHOTO: Ministry of Manpower Press and Public Relations Office/Kemnaker)
Industry Experience Strengthens Student Competencies
On the occasion, Yassierli praised the learning approach adopted by Politeknik Mitra Industri. The institution provides students with opportunities to gain practical experience through various projects and to build networks with industry.
In
Yassierli's view, a learning model that connects students with
industry requirements can serve as an important space for testing and developing their competencies. Through project work and exposure to professional environments, students can improve their technical abilities while also strengthening their
human skills.
He described these experiences as valuable assets for students before completing their studies. Direct interaction with industry can help them better understand workplace requirements while also enabling them to identify the skills they still need to develop.
Yassierli expressed hope that students at vocational higher education institutions would make full use of all the facilities and opportunities available to them during their education. He also hoped that graduates of polytechnic institutions would not simply seek employment after graduation but would possess the skills needed to contribute to and advance industrial development.
"I hope that in three or four years, when you enter industry, you will not only be ready to work but also capable of developing the industry further. And I hope that future leaders will also emerge from here," he said.
He again reminded students to take every learning process during their studies seriously. Experiences gained throughout their education, including opportunities to work on projects and build networks with
industry, should be utilized to strengthen their preparation for entering the workforce.
"Make use of this opportunity, stay focused and do not let it go to waste. I am convinced that you are learning here and that, even before graduation, you will already have various competencies and experiences," he concluded.
By strengthening both
technical competencies and
human skills, students at vocational higher education institutions can build a more comprehensive foundation for entering the workforce. Communication, collaboration, negotiation, adaptability and an understanding of social issues are important elements in developing graduates who can meet
industry requirements while also contributing to society.
(IDNC)REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala