Preparing East Kalimantan, Indonesia’s future workforce for a just transition

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan, Indonesia (ILO News) – Around 120 trainees and instructors from the Vocational Training Centre (BPVP) Samarinda joined an interactive discussion, both in person and online, to explore a question increasingly relevant to their future: What skills will workers need as East Kalimantan transitions towards a greener and more diversified economy?

© BPVP Samarinda

© BPVP Samarinda

The question is particularly important for East Kalimantan. As one of Indonesia’s major coal-producing regions, the province has long depended on extractive industries for economic growth and employment. At the same time, the transition towards a low-carbon economy is creating opportunities for new industries, occupations and skills.

These questions guided discussions during Powering the Future: Challenges and Opportunities in the Era of Energy Transition, an event organized by the ILO through its Innovation Regions for a Just Energy Transition (IKI-JET) project, in collaboration with BPVP Samarinda. Bringing together participants at BPVP Samarinda and online, the event encouraged trainees and instructors to consider what the transition means for jobs, skills and livelihoods, and how vocational training can prepare workers to participate in a greener and more inclusive economy.

Skills for a changing economy

© IndoXplore

© IndoXplore

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions have an important role to play in ensuring that workers have the skills to take advantage of emerging opportunities. For BPVP Samarinda, this means offering training programmes that respond to greener technologies and more sustainable business practices.

Against this backdrop, BPVP Samarinda launched its Solar Power Plant (PLTS) Technician Training Programme in July. The programme aims to strengthen the quality and relevance of vocational training in renewable energy and develop a competent workforce to support Indonesia’s transition towards clean and sustainable energy.

BPVP Samarinda receives support through Phase II of the Renewable Energy Skills Development (RESD) Project, as part of the cooperation between the Governments of Indonesia and Switzerland. The project is funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

Skills development that responds to the changing world of work is essential to ensure that workers, particularly young people entering the labour market, are equipped to take advantage of emerging opportunities and are not left behind by economic transformation

Muce Mochtar, ILO IKI-JET Project Coordinator in Indonesia

As part of this support, BPVP Samarinda has trained two First-Level Expert Instructors in solar PV. One of them, Muhammad Zakky Najahi, began his training with a colleague at BPVP Ternate, North Maluku, in 2024. There, they received basic training covering solar PV systems, equipment and components. This was followed by an advanced Training of Trainers at BPVP East Lombok, where they developed practical skills in operating and configuring solar PV systems. Together, the two training programmes lasted three months.

“We also received further training on solar PV system maintenance in April this year as part of the preparation for the launch of the PLTS Technician Training Programme in July. The training aimed to strengthen instructors’ capacity and competence in applying effective, interactive and practical teaching methods,” Zakky said.

With trained instructors in place, BPVP Samarinda welcomed the inaugural batch of 16 trainees to its 28-day Solar PV Technician Training Programme, which ran from early August to mid-September.

Through this workshop, I learnt so much about the just transition. It made me think about how the skills I am learning today will be important for the future.

Rosmala Dewi, a trainee in the Solar Power Plant (PLTS) Technician Training Programme

Muce Mochtar, ILO IKI-JET Project Coordinator in Indonesia, emphasized the importance of preparing the workforce for changes in the labour market. “Skills development that responds to the changing world of work is essential to ensure that workers, particularly young people entering the labour market, are equipped to take advantage of emerging opportunities and are not left behind by economic transformation,” he said.

Looking at her technical skills through a new lens, Rosmala Dewi, the only female trainee in the programme, said she was inspired to join by her father, a professional electrical technician. “Through this workshop, I learnt so much about the just transition. It made me think about how the skills I am learning today will be important for the future,” she said.

After graduating from high school with a science major five years ago, Rosmala worked as a freelance teacher before joining the training programme. “I hope I can pass the final exam and get certified, and I hope I can work at a solar power plant. My parents are also very supportive of me,” she concluded.

Young voices for a just transition

© ILO

© ILO

The event also marked the start of a collaboration between the ILO and BPVP Samarinda trainees to broaden awareness and understanding of the just energy transition through social media. Selected trainees will turn their learning and experiences into social media content and articles, reaching out to their peers, families and wider communities.

Gita Lingga, ILO Senior Communications Officer, welcomed the expansion of the ILO Youth Network to include young people participating in vocational training programmes, broadening its engagement beyond university students. “Vocational training institutions play an important role in developing competent and skilled workers who can adapt to changes in the world of work, including those brought about by the just transition,” she said.

The collaboration is part of the ILO Youth Network, an initiative that provides young people with opportunities to learn about employment and labour issues and encourages them to actively contribute to shaping a better future of work. In Indonesia, the Network has partnered with universities and university networks across the country, including Sriwijaya University, Airlangga University, the Nationwide University Network in Indonesia (NUNI), Esa Unggul University, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Atma Jaya Catholic University and Diponegoro University (Undip).