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The Ministry of Industry continues to encourage the replication of polytechnic development that links and matches the industry in an effort to create competent and ready-to-work human resources (HR). This is also in order to meet the industrial revolution era 4.0 and take the momentum of demographic bonuses in Indonesia.

"In our readiness to transform into the era of the digital industry, it requires reskilling HR in the industrial sector so that they are able to compete. Moreover, on the road map of Making Indonesia 4.0, the big aspiration is to realize Indonesia is in the ranks of the 10 strongest economies in the world in 2030, "said Minister of Industry, Air Hartarto in Jakarta, Monday (6/24).

Minister of Industry explained, in order to continue to boost the quality of industrial human resources in the country, President Joko Widodotelah instructed to make additional polytechnics, especially in industrial estates. This is in line with the focus of the development agenda in the second period of his leadership, namely the development of skilled human resources.

"Mr. President asked to add more polytechnics, and we continued to encourage him. Now, we already have 10 polytechnics and 2 community academies. In addition, the government will continue to encourage the empowerment of communities around industrial estates, "he said.

Regarding the acceleration of the vocational education program, the government has poured in the National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJM) 2020-2024, with a target of adding 500 polytechnics that link and match the industry.

"Mr. President Joko Widodo wants a massive polytechnic development, because in the RPJMN for 2020-2024, HR is the key to development," he added.

In the past two years, the Ministry of Industry has built four new polytechnics, one of which is the Metal Industry Polytechnic in Morowali, Central Sulawesi. "The facilities there are very good, even more complete than the lab facilities at the Bandung Institute of Technology. The Chancellor and his professor are paid quite high, "said Airlangga.

Then, the Ministry of Industry also established the Academy of Textile Communities in Solo, the Academy of Manufacturing Industry Communities in Bantaeng, and the Polytechnic of the Furniture and Wood Processing Industry in the Kendal Industrial Estate. More than 90 percent of students graduating from the polytechnic are directly absorbed by the industry because of their competency according to the current needs of the field.

"The experience is a momentum to encourage the private sector to contribute to the development of competent human resources in the industrial sector," continued the Minister of Industry. Because, if only relying on graduates from the Ministry of Industry polytechnic, the number of workers ready to work is only around 200-300 people per polytechnic.

"The President asked more graduates to work in the industry. At least one million workforce can be absorbed. Therefore, our experience makes polytechnics replicated to the industry. "The Ministry of Industry has also encouraged industries to participate in building polytechnics, and they will be given super deductible tax," he said.

The super deductible tax incentive is a tax relief given for industrial contributions in the program of creating skilled labor needed by the manufacturing sector. The Ministry of Industry has identified a number of industrial sectors that are encouraged to be able to build polytechnics.

"One of them is Astra, which makes a polytechnic in Cikarang. So far, Indorama or Astra have made polytechnics for their own needs, there are only 100 graduates, now they must be added. Then at Atmi Solo and Atmi Cikarang, the graduates are only 100-150 people. But Mr. President asked for more mass, "he added.

With this policy, the government and the industrial sector co-produced industrial human resources, because the government assessed the industries that knew the needs of HR the most. The Ministry of Industry continues to encourage the private sector to participate in preparing competent human resources in the industry.

In improving the quality of industrial human resources, the Ministry of Industry also revitalized vocational education and created a link and match program between Vocational Schools (SMK) and industry. The program has been carried out by the Ministry of Industry for the past two years.

"Regarding vocation revitalization, we have collaborated with more than 2,200 Vocational Schools, which were then collaborated with over 600 industries. Then the link and match between industry and vocational schools has made almost 4,997 cooperation, "he explained.

Airlangga said, one form of cooperation, the industry provides equipment assistance for practicum at Vocational School with a minimum value of IDR 500 million. "The cooperation between the Vocational and Industrial Vocational Schools is also automatically carried out by increasing the curriculum, as well as changing the study program and curriculum. In addition, more than 40 study programs have been changed according to industry needs, "he concluded. (kemenperin)