ILO, Manpower Ministry’s Training Centre and Matsushita Gobel Institute strengthen the capacities of human resources in the electronics sector

BEKASI, West Java, Indonesia (ILO News) - The Indonesian Ministry of Manpower’s Centre for Vocational and Extension Service Training (Cevest) Bekasi and Matsushita Gobel Foundation (MGF) with support from the ILO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Bekasi, West Java, on 12 November. The signing ceremony was witnessed by the newly elected Minister of Manpower, Prof. Yassierli, PhD, Rahmat Gobel, Chairman and Shareholders of Panasonic Global Group and Akira Nisiyama, Ambassador of Japan for Indonesia.

The signing of the MoU marks the collaboration among these institutions to adapt and develiver upskilling and/or reskilling programmes not only for workers and suppliers in the electronics sector, but also for instructors. The MoU also marks the joint effort to strengthen the institutional capacities of Cevest in providing quality trainings that meet the needs of the electronics sector.

Within the intensive period of three months, the MoU highlights the collaboration among the ILO, MGI and Cevest Bekasi to provide a series of training programmes to increase both soft and technical skills of instructors of Cevest Bekasi as well as Panasonic Gobel’s workers which include Panasonic Gobel Trade Union Federation (FSPPG) members and suppliers on industrial automation. The MoU also focuses the improvement of Cevest Bekasi’s curricullum according to the needs of the electronics industry.

The need for skilled labour is greater than ever... Thus, through strengthened public-private partnership will increase technical and financial supports for skilling, reskilling and upskilling for workers and suppliers in the electronics sector.

Dede Sudono, Programme Coordinator for ILO’s Skills Development and Responsible Business Conduct in Indonesia

In addition to the MoU between MGI and CEVEST, the ILO also involved and strengthen the capacity of the Panasonic Gobel Trade Union Federation (FSPPG) in the forms of a series training programmes on soft skills for instructors of FSPPG’s community training centre, on Responsible Business Conduct for Skilled Workers Manual for members of FSPPG, on soft and technical skills for members of FSPPG and the involvement of FSPPG in strengthening quality apprenticeship programme, including the grievance mechanism, at PT Panasonic Gobel and its suppliers.

“Under this MoU, we involves not only the company and the training centre, but also the trade unions. The FSPPG is part of the collaboration by sending their members to participate in the series of training programmes and to ensure that these series of trainings benefit all workers and the suppliers,” said Dede Sudono, Programme Coordinator for ILO’s Skills Development and Responsible Business Conduct in Indonesia.

Dede also added that the MoU was expected to advocate for greater public-private partnership and dialogue. “The need for skilled labour is greater than ever. Yet, the gap between the skills taught and the skills needed by industry is growing. Thus, through strengthened public-private partnership will increase technical and financial supports for skilling, reskilling and upskilling for workers and suppliers in the electronics sector. This partnership is also part of the responsible business practices”

The ILO support to this important collaboration is provided by the Skills Development and Responsible Business Conduct Project, funded by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The project focuses on promoting a more responsible business environment by improving the implementation of business and human rights in both policy and practice in Indonesia, particularly in electronic industry.