Director General of Construction Development at the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Rachman Arief Dienaputra, emphasized the crucial role of vocational education in confronting Indonesia’s economic and social challenges.
He highlighted this perspective during the peak celebration of the 14th anniversary of the UGM Vocational College. According to him, well-structured vocational education helps graduates acquire skills matching the job market’s requirements, facilitating their employability.
“With well-structured vocational education, graduates have skills that match the needs of the job market, making it easier for them to secure employment,” said Dienaputra.
Speaking at UGM on Friday (October 27), Rachman Dienaputra also mentioned that vocational education enhances productivity and the country’s economic competitiveness.
Proficient and quality vocational education graduates will provide the industrial and business sectors with skilled human resources better equipped to face global competition.
This, he noted, enables Indonesia to produce higher-quality products and services, contributing to overall economic growth.
“Graduates with vocational skills can become entrepreneurs and create job opportunities for themselves. This not only reduces unemployment rates but also empowers individuals to drive economic growth,” he explained.
Currently, Dienaputra stated that vocational education isn’t a secondary option but holds equal importance compared to other formal education.
Therefore, the government, educational institutions, and society must collaborate to improve the quality and accessibility of vocational education nationwide.
Several challenges in Indonesia’s vocational education include the curriculum not being aligned with job competency, the need for enhanced infrastructure, and the optimization of collaborations with companies, government agencies, business sectors, and industries.
In an era of globalization and ongoing technological advancements, creating a competitive workforce ready to adapt to innovative technology is pivotal for Indonesia.
The focus should be on shaping human resources capable of accelerating infrastructure development and enhancing infrastructure quality, timeliness, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability.
“This is the basis for why vocational education plays a crucial role in addressing the challenges of our time. Therefore, let us together support and encourage vocational education in Indonesia to create a brighter and more prosperous future,” Dienaputra concluded.
Dean of the UGM Vocational College, Professor Agus Maryono, expressed that the 14th anniversary of the college is not just an important moment but a milestone for reflecting on its role in advancing knowledge, technology, and humanity.
“This 14th anniversary carries the theme of collaboration, innovation, solutions, and downstream for humanity and welfare, and we acknowledge that the challenges faced by society and the vocational world will become increasingly complex,” the dean said.
This year’s anniversary celebration theme, Agus emphasized, underscores the commitment of the UGM Vocational College not just as an observer but as an active agent of change, proactively addressing vital questions within society.
Collaboration, innovation, solutions, and advancement are the four main pillars guiding the college’s journey toward communal well-being.
“To achieve well-being necessitates collaboration, synergy, harmony, and progressiveness from all elements within the UGM Vocational College,” he said.
During the celebration, the dean conveyed reports on achievements, collaborative efforts, and innovations in various sectors such as academic and student affairs, finance, assets and human resources, research and community engagement, and collaboration and alumni.
All accomplishments, he acknowledged, were the collective efforts of departments, study programs, laboratories, and the entire academic community at the UGM Vocational College.
“We hope the UGM Vocational College can become a driving force in the development of both UGM and Indonesia. We expect collaboration, innovation, solutions, and downstream will continue to be the primary drivers for the common good,” the dean concluded.
Author: Agung Nugroho