Transforming vocational education and industry partnerships to support disability inclusion in the maritime sector

A concerted effort is ongoing in Indonesia to improve persons with disabilities’ access to shipbuilding education and employment.

Since last year, the Shipbuilding Institute of Polytechnic Surabaya (PPNS) has worked with Sasana Inklusi & Gerakan Advokasi Difabel (SIGAB) – a non-governmental organisation – and the shipbuilding industry to enhance learning and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Recently, on 11 April 2023, PPNS facilitated a meeting of the Industry Advisory Board (IAB) attended by representatives of six shipbuilding companies – PT. PAL Indonesia (Persero), PT. Adiluhung Sarana Segara Indonesia, PT. Dok Pantai Lamongan, Indonesia Shipbuilding and Offshore Association (Iperindo), PT. Dumas Tanjung Perak Shipyard and PT Samudera Sinar Abadi – to discuss the readiness of the industry partners to employ graduates with disabilities. PPNS is planning to enrol more students with disabilities.

As part of its partnership with PPNS and three other polytechnics – Batam State Polytechnic (Polibatam), Manado State Polytechnic (Polimanado) and State Maritime Polytechnic Indonesia (Polimarin) – the Skills for Prosperity Programme in Indonesia (SfP-Indonesia), which is implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and funded by the United Kingdom government, has supported the establishment of one IAB in each of the four institutes to strengthen the link and match between vocational education and industry needs.

Kharisma Kholif Viranata, Head of the Human Resources Development Unit of Iperindo, said: “There is a big chance for persons with disabilities to work in this sector. However, some challenges still exist when it comes to hiring them for the types of jobs which pose high risks and require quick responses, and accommodating their needs.”

Iperindo has 214 members of shipbuilding and dockyard companies employing a huge number of workers.

Meanwhile, Pramusti Indrascaryo, Director of Finance, Human Resources and Risk Management of PT. PAL Indonesia, said that as a state-owned company, PT. PAL has employed persons with disabilities in certain positions that suit them, such as those in administration and office support. However, it is still challenging to employ them in high-risk jobs.

“We still need to raise awareness among employees on disability inclusion to make the work environment friendly for PWDs,” said Mr Indrascaryo.

Ambikka, a lecture at PPNS, added that according to National Law no. 8/2016 on persons with disabilities, state-owned companies (BUMN) shall ensure that at least 2% of their employees are PWDs. She said there are opportunities for PWDs to work in the shipbuilding industry in various areas – from the core business functions to support units and supply chains.

A day before the IAB meeting, PPNS and SIGAB held a workshop to develop a 2023 work plan to transform PPNS into an inclusive polytechnic, preparing new student enrolment for PWDs and developing learning materials, methods and facilities as well as on-the-job training programmes for PWDs with the industry partners.

PPNS and SIGAB have signed a memorandum of understanding to improve education access for PWDs.

PPNS Director Ir. Eko Julianto said: “PPNS was inspired by how the University of Strathclyde facilitates a learning environment for students and lecturers with disabilities during our visit to the campus in October 2022.”

In addition, PPNS has also collaborated with INKLUSI, the Australian Indonesia partnership programme, funded by the UK government, that promotes an inclusive society by increasing participation of and benefits for marginalized groups in social, cultural, economic and political development in Indonesia.

“I am happy to support the initiative of PPNS to provide education access for PWDs to improve their future of life for decent employment,” said Keith Hargreaves, INKLUSI Head of Partnerships and Policy.

With support from INKLUSI, SIGAB will provide technical assistance and capacity building for PPNS lecturers and students to work towards transforming the campus into an inclusive polytechnic.

Earlier, SfP-Indonesia collaborated with SIGAB to conduct a series of self-assessments of disability inclusion in the four polytechnics from October 2022 to January 2023. Following the assessment, the polytechnics identified which study programmes can accept enrolment of PWDs and accommodate certain types of disabilities.

Mary Kent, SfP-Indonesia Chief Technical Adviser, said the collaboration among PPNS and its industry partners (IAB), SIGAB, INKLUSI and the ILO, demonstrates a progressive approach, that can lead the way for improving inclusion across TVET institutions and their industry sector partnerships.

Ms Kent said: “The shipbuilding industry in Indonesia is ready to embrace a more inclusive workforce.”

She added that this model shows how TVET institutions like PPNS will play a vital role providing opportunities for more young people to access decent skilled employment; and supports Indonesia’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including quality education (Goal 4), growth and employment (Goal 8), tackling inequality (Goal 10), and strengthening partnerships (Goal 17).