President Prabowo Directs Centralized Vocational Education for Skilled Workers

Strategic Insights -

President Prabowo Subianto has instructed the Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) to develop a centralized vocational education system to prepare skilled workers for overseas jobs. This directive, issued during a Plenary Cabinet Meeting, aims to enhance the quality and capabilities of prospective migrant workers through an integrated education system. The government seeks to reduce the number of domestic workers sent abroad and instead increase the number of skilled workers, with a focus on meeting international labor market demands.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Prabowo has directed the Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) to develop a centralized vocational education system to train skilled workers for overseas placement.
  • The education system aims to produce human resources capable of competing in the global labor market, with a focus on 40 job sectors in several countries.
  • The government is no longer prioritizing sending domestic workers abroad, instead aiming to enhance the quality and capabilities of prospective migrant workers.
  • Minister Karding is committed to improving the skills of prospective Indonesian migrant workers (PMIs) to meet the high standards of international labor markets, particularly in European countries.
  • The P2MI ministry is collaborating with institutions like Universitas Terbuka to ensure that PMIs can continue their education while working abroad.
  • Minister Karding is engaging with universities that offer online learning to enable migrant workers to study while working and progress to higher qualifications.

Statistics:

  • The government is focusing on 40 job sectors in several countries that are increasingly seeking professional Indonesian workers.
  • The number of domestic workers sent abroad is being reduced, with the goal of increasing the number of skilled workers.
  • Minister Karding is collaborating with several institutions, including Universitas Terbuka, to support the development of the centralized vocational education system.
  • The P2MI ministry is working with universities that offer online learning to enable migrant workers to continue their education while working abroad.
  • The centralized vocational education system is expected to serve as the foundation for preparing human resources capable of competing in the global labor market.

Sources:

  • "President Prabowo has directed the Migrant Workers Minister to prepare a centralized vocational education system to train skilled workers for overseas placement." (Head of the Presidential Communication Office, Hasan Nasbi)
  • "We are no longer talking about sending domestic workers abroad. The focus now is on reducing such placements and increasing the number of skilled workers." (Hasan Nasbi)
  • "We must emulate the Philippines. Their workers go to Hong Kong and Taiwan, but their ultimate target is Europe. We too must prepare a training system that enables our workers to skill up." (Minister Karding)
  • "I am currently engaging with universities that offer online learning so our migrant workers can study while working and progress to higher qualifications." (Minister Karding)
  • (Antara News Agency, 07 Aug 2025)