Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang
Residents living near Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang have received training to work as employees of airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II.
As many as 106 participants took two days of Emotional Intelligence and Spiritual Quotient (ESQ) training held by the company last week.
In a darkened room at the state-owned enterprise's office at the airport, the residents learned personal skills from company-hired trainers.
""The training has been held to awaken (residents') awareness of how to become faithful and honest people,"" Angkasa Pura spokesman Erick Arrachman said.
He added that the participants would also be trained in administration and management.
The company's general affairs and human resources director Endang Dwi Suryani said the ESQ training was being held for the second time.
""We hope that through the training all participants can increase their emotional intelligence and deal with any problems in the world of work,"" she said.
As part of its community development program, Angkasa Pura has also provided a community learning center near the airport's rear M-1 gate, where residents can take free English and computer skills courses.
Syaripudin, a resident, said last week's session was a first for him.
""After the session I felt as if I'd just cleaned up my mind... and began to see the future from a new perspective,"" he said.
Thousands of residents living in several subdistricts around the airport have complained of noise pollution from aircraft taking off and landing.
Residents demanded Angkasa Pura give them skills training, job opportunities and space for businesses at the airport as compensation.
""We're tired of being affected by the sound of jets and therefore we've asked the airport operator to employ locals as compensation,"" said Heru Martuni, the chief of community unit No. 2 in Kedaung Wetan subdistrict near the airport's runways.
He said the jets had blown the roofs off resident's houses and damaged their hearing.
""We see this training as a way of the airport operator taking responsibility and caring for the suffering of locals,"" Heru said.
Jamaludin, the head of Kedaung Wetan subdistrict, said he supported the training program as a way of improving residents' lives.
