Improving Indonesia’s maritime sector through strengthening vocational education

The improvements made to education through this programme will help boost Indonesia’s domestic and international trade and assist the country in attracting more investment. I look forward to seeing this programme supporting Indonesia’s economic development."

Owen Jenkins, British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste

In support of the Government of Indonesia’s priority to strengthen the maritime sector, the Government of the United Kingdom launched a new programme named “Skills for Prosperity” in Jakarta on 5 November 2019. This four-year programme, continuing to 2023, is aimed at improving the skills and competencies of the maritime workforce in order to increase the industry’s productivity, including its seaports. It will do this by modernizing the curricula, standards and qualifications of marine vocational education in the fields of maritime logistics, seafaring, shipbuilding and the maritime economies of coastal communities. The programme is implemented by the ILO.

We will involve and collaborate with all stakeholders including central and local governments, social partners, education institutions and other relevant interests so as to close the gap between the needs of industry and the supply of labour in this sector, with the aim of delivering results which can be sustained in the longer-term future."

Michiko Miyamoto, Country Director of the ILO in Indonesia

“The improvements made to education through this programme will help boost Indonesia’s domestic and international trade and assist the country in attracting more investment. I look forward to seeing this programme supporting Indonesia’s economic development,” remarked Owen Jenkins, British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste.

Meanwhile, Michiko Miyamoto, Country Director of the ILO in Indonesia, emphasized the importance of high quality education and skills development in Indonesia. “We will involve and collaborate with all stakeholders including central and local governments, social partners, education institutions and other relevant interests so as to close the gap between the needs of industry and the supply of labour in this sector, with the aim of delivering results which can be sustained in the longer-term future,” said Michiko.

This new programme will improve the quality of four maritime polytechnics in Semarang, Surabaya, Batam and Manado.

Taking advantage of its proximity to Singapore, one of the largest global trade hubs, the programme will support National Polytechnic Batam in logistics management to reduce costs and enhance reliability, enhancing Indonesia’s opportunities to compete for this important trade.

We have to admit that our marine education still lacks modern facilities and well qualified educators. We greatly appreciate this initiative as a valuable step to improve our marine education."

Ismunandar, Director General of Learning and Student Affairs, Ministry of Education

The Marine Polytechnic Semarang of Central Java has been selected to provide better English training for its students so that more and more Indonesians will be employable in good positions in international shipping and marine companies.

Meanwhile, the programme will support the polytechnic partnered with PT PAL, an Indonesian shipbuilding company in Surabaya, East Java, by introducing the latest developments in digitizing port management and shipbuilding design, as well as creating future leaders in the maritime sector.

Last but not least, representing the Eastern part of Indonesia, the Polytechnic Manado of North Sulawesi will be supported to develop the local maritime economy by teaching entrepreneurial skills in coastal communities that are prone to disadvantage and poverty.

“We have to admit that our marine education still lacks modern facilities and well qualified educators. We greatly appreciate this initiative as a valuable step to improve our marine education. Through this comprehensive programme, I believe that our students will be able to develop their leadership skills and sharpen their innovative and creative thinking for the better future of the Indonesian maritime sector,” said Ismunandar, Director General of Learning and Student Affairs at the Ministry of Education.

The maritime sector is a priority for the Indonesian government as the country has the second-longest coastline in the world and more than 17,000 islands. Under President Joko Widodo it has already built maritime infrastructure, such as seaports, to increase efficiency and effectiveness of trading goods across the archipelago.