Nurdin, 31, is determined to complete the 30-day welding course at the Batam Polytechnic with satisfactory results. He wants to change his profession from being a security guard at a nightspot to a skilled welder.

"My current take-home pay is very low. With a welding certificate I am optimistic I can get a better paying job at the shipyard or with a pipe manufacturer," said Nurdin to The Jakarta Post last month on the campus.

Nurdin once did a stint as an assistant at a shipyard, but his monthly income was much lower than that of colleagues who were skilled in welding. The decision to sign up for the welding course initially was not easy for Nurdin as it was quite expensive.

However, Nurdin found out that as a member of the Indonesian National Youth Committee (KNPI) in Batam he could join the course for free through a sponsorship program by Citra Mas Foundation, which provided the funds for 20 Batam residents. The foundation distributes funds provided by the Citra Mas Group for its corporate social responsibility program.

"In fact there were many other members of KNPI here that tried hard for the opportunity, but the number was limited. I just thank God that I was selected," said Nurdin.

Riswan Wirda, 23, who lives in Nongsa district, has a similar story to tell about his chance to join the third phase of welding courses at the polytechnic sponsored by the Citra Mas Foundation. Riswan is also confident of a better future.

"A skilled welder can easily get a good job here with a high salary," said Riswan.

Iwan Kisnawan, safety and utility maintenance staffer at the Batam Polytechnic who is also the course coordinator, said that there were two types of courses, one for the general public and another for the sponsorship program of Citra Mas. The first course is available only every Saturday and Sunday, while the other is conducted on weekdays. The cost of the 30-day course is Rp 5.5 million per person.

"There is no age limit for a skilled welder. Due to the good pay it is not surprising that many join the course wishing to switch their profession after finishing the course," said Iwan.

Indeed a skilled welder's income here is comparably higher than other related jobs. Iwan said that there were three levels of skill: basic welding or 3G, intermediate welding or 5G and advance welding or 6G.

During the course, students are provided with basic welding training and skills. Upon completion they are presented with certificates issued by Indonesian Welding Society (IWS), which is recognized for its standards in the country's welding industry. Most welders are then employed by the shipyard or other heavy industries.

The 3G welders get between Rp 8,000 and Rp 9,000 per hour, while the more skilled ones receive higher pay, between Rp 15,000 and Rp 20,000 per hour.

The training lab for the course and all the equipment was donated by the Citra Mas Foundation, although the company behind the foundation does not require welders for its line of business.

Deputy chairman of the foundation, Reggy Djakarya, said that the welding course was among a number of other activities benefiting individuals that the company currently sponsors.

The welding course was the brain child of Citra Mas Group president director for the company's CSR program, with total funds spent to date amounting to Rp 1.5 billion.

"There are other expenses as well, such as course fees. After they earn the certificates it is not our company that employs them, but many other companies," said Reggy.

The welding course sponsorship program has been running since 2006, with 20 students recruited for every course phase. The current phase is the third. Originally, priority was given to residents of Nongsa district, where the company is located. However, due to demand from residents of other areas the company cooperated with the KNPI through its foundation, the Citra Mas Foundation, to lend a helping hand to other would-be welders.

According to Reggy, it is the government that has the responsibility of helping aspiring students as it is part of the duties of the Work Training Agency (BLK). However, as the BLK was not functioning properly and other institutions and companies were not paying much attention to this matter, the company saw it as a humanitarian cause and stepped up to the bat to play a significant role.

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