Indonesia and Australia to explore partnership in enhancing digital skills

JAKARTA (Joint Press Release) – Access to education and skills development is a fundamental human right and an indispensable prerequisite for decent work for all. Today’s technologies provide a viable answer to the Indonesia’s geographical gaps in skills development opportunities. While COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital transformation in all aspects of human life, including in digital learning, it has also posed other significant challenges. Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions are required to adopt innovative approaches and adapt with online learning systems.

Through the collaboration with Government of Australia, we aim at improving our TVET quality, particularly in ICT skills, to present competent, skilled, competitive human resources in accordance with the needs of industry as well as growing new entrepreneurs in the ICT field."

Wikan Sakarinto, Director General of Vocational Education, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology

To continue strengthening digital skills development in Indonesia, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Government of Australia is organizing a seminar titled “Exploring Partnership between Indonesia-Australia in Digital Skills Development” on Tuesday, 29 June 2021. The seminar aims to identify suitable ICT skills development models for Indonesia and help Indonesian TVET institute adjusting their system to meet the requirements of today’s digital transformation in education sector.

Wikan Sakarinto, Director General of Vocational Education, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, stated that Indonesia is still building its integrated digital infrastructure as a key to catch up with industrial revolution 4.0. “However, improving quality of digital skills is no less important since the demand and supply of digital talents remain unbalanced. Through the collaboration with Government of Australia, we aim at improving our TVET quality, particularly in ICT skills, to present competent, skilled, competitive human resources in accordance with the needs of industry as well as growing new entrepreneurs in the ICT field,” he said.

We look forward to further enhance Indonesia’s human capital potential, by sharing our own experience to develop the digital skills component into Indonesia."

Rebecca Hall, Victoria Commissioner to Southeast Asia

Rebecca Hall, Victoria Commissioner to Southeast Asia, expresses Victoria’s (Australia) keen interest in exploring a collaboration with Indonesian TVET Institutions. “We look forward to further enhance Indonesia’s human capital potential, by sharing our own experience to develop the digital skills component into Indonesia’s TVET sector,” said Rebecca.

The ILO has also recognized the increasing demand of digital skills in the world of work. Initiatives have been taken at global, regional and national levels to prepare its member States to face the fast changing of employment and business nature.

I hope this event could set as a good start for future collaborations between TVET Institutions of both countries."

Michiko Miyamoto, ILO Country Director for Indonesia and Timor-Leste

“I congratulate the initiative taken by the Indonesian and Australian governments to join forces in dealing with the fast changing and most needed digital skills development. It is in line with the ILO human-centered approach to adapt with the future of work. I hope this event could set as a good start for future collaborations between TVET Institutions of both countries,” said Michiko Miyamoto, ILO Country Director for Indonesia and Timor-Leste.

Australia has heavily invested in online learning over the past decades. Therefore, the seminar presents good practices from Victorian Technical and Further Education (TAFE) in building distance and digital learning system as an effective way to deliver training and education to broader students at less cost. Another possible collaboration discussed includes the possibility of students from Indonesia to access the existing online learning platforms and contents from TAFE institutions in Victoria.

For further information please contact:

C. Hirania Wiryasti
ILO’s Officer on Digital Skills and Distance Learning
Email: [email protected]

Gita F. Lingga
ILO’s Communications Officer
Email: [email protected]

Ayunda Pratama
ILO’s Communications Officer for Skills Development
Email: [email protected]