ILO and BPVP Samarinda strengthen youth skills for a Just Energy Transition in Indonesia

© BPVP Samarinda

© BPVP Samarinda

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan, Indonesia (Joint Press Release) – East Kalimantan is one of Indonesia’s provinces whose economy is closely linked to the coal and extractive industries. As Indonesia moves towards a low-carbon economy, the province faces both challenges and opportunities in ensuring that the energy transition is fair and inclusive and creates decent work for workers and communities.

In response to these challenges, the International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the Samarinda Vocational Training and Productivity Centre (BPVP Samarinda), organized a workshop entitled “Powering the Future: Challenges and Opportunities in the Energy Transition Era” on 2 September at the BPVP Samarinda Main Hall. Bringing together more than 120 BPVP trainees and instructors, both in person and online, the workshop provided a platform for learning and dialogue to deepen participants’ understanding of a just energy transition and its implications, opportunities and challenges for the world of work.

The energy transition is changing skills requirements and the world of work. In response, we have begun strengthening the capacity of our instructors through various training programmes related to a just energy transition, including solar panel training.

Eka Cahyana Adi, Head of BPVP Samarinda

Opened by the Deputy Mayor of Samarinda, Saefuddin Zuhri, the workshop also highlighted the importance of vocational education and training in preparing workers for changing skills needs. As the green economy develops and new types of jobs emerge, workers need relevant skills to adapt and take advantage of employment opportunities created by the economic transformation.

BPVP Samarinda plays an important role in supporting workforce readiness through competency-based training aligned with labour market needs. Its instructors also play a strategic role in ensuring that training programmes continue to adapt to technological developments, industry needs and changing skills requirements as the economy transitions towards a greener future.

“The energy transition is changing skills requirements and the world of work. In response, we have begun strengthening the capacity of our instructors through various training programmes related to a just energy transition, including solar panel training,” said Eka Cahyana Adi, Head of BPVP Samarinda. “These efforts aim to equip young people and workers with the competencies they need to adapt and take advantage of new employment opportunities emerging from the transformation towards a green economy.”

Skills development and economic diversification are therefore essential to creating new employment opportunities in greener and more sustainable sectors.

Muce Mochtar, ILO Indonesia’s IKI-JET Project Coordinator

The workshop was organized as part of the Innovation Regions for a Just Energy Transition (IKI-JET) project implemented by the ILO. Through the project, East Kalimantan and South Sumatra have been designated as pilot provinces to support the implementation of a just energy transition in Indonesia.

Through IKI-JET, the ILO works with local governments, social partners and other stakeholders to strengthen social dialogue on the impact of the energy transition on the world of work. A key priority is ensuring that workers and young people have the skills needed to benefit from emerging economic and employment opportunities as regional economies diversify.

© BPVP Samarinda

© BPVP Samarinda

Skills development is an essential element in ensuring that the benefits of the energy transition are widely shared. A vocational training system that is responsive to labour market needs can help workers and young people acquire new skills, strengthen their adaptability and take advantage of decent work opportunities in more sustainable sectors.

Muce Mochtar, ILO Indonesia’s IKI-JET Project Coordinator, emphasized that the success of the energy transition should be measured not only by reductions in emissions but also by its ability to create new and inclusive economic opportunities for workers and affected communities.

“The transition towards a low-carbon economy must ensure that affected workers and communities are not left behind and continue to have access to decent work,” said Muce. “Skills development and economic diversification are therefore essential to creating new employment opportunities in greener and more sustainable sectors. Young people have a strategic role to play in this process by driving change through innovation, leadership and collaboration.”

Through the IKI-JET project and other strategic partnerships, the ILO continues to work with partners and stakeholders to support a just energy transition in Indonesia. These efforts aim to ensure that the transformation towards a green economy not only contributes to achieving national climate targets but also strengthens regional economic resilience through the creation of decent work, while ensuring that no worker is left behind.

For further information, please contact:
Muce Mochtar
ILO’s IKI-JET Project Coordinator for Indonesia
Email: [email protected]

Gita Lingga
ILO Senior Information and Communications Management Assistant
Email: [email protected]