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Enhance vocational education to compete in AEC: experts
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Former tourism and creative economy minister Mari Elka Pangestu (left) laughs with the publisher of The Jakarta Post Jusuf Wanandi (right) at a seminar held by The Jakarta Post to celebrate its 33rd anniversary on Monday, April 25, 2016. (thejakartapost.com/Wienda Parwitasari)
T
he government should enhance vocational education as part of efforts to bolster Indonesia’s standing in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), experts said on Monday.
University of Indonesia economics expert Mari Elka Pangestu lauded the government's program to develop vocational schools to create a more competitive workforce in response to the increased movement of workers in the region as a result of the AEC.
"Vocational schools are cheaper and can also produce skilled workers faster than universities,” she said on the sidelines of The Jakarta Post's 33rd birthday celebration seminar on regional issues on Monday.
The government needs to focus on vocational schools that train people in the skills that are relevant to the several sectors that have a large potential to support Indonesia's economy, said Mika, who served as the tourism and creative economy minister under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
The sectors include information technology, engineering, hospitality and retail, considering the fast growth they have experienced in recent years, Mari added.
However, another economist from the University of Indonesia, Faisal Basri, said the government had not yet taken full advantage of the potential of vocational schools. Of all tertiary graduates in the nation, those from vocational schools had the highest level of unemployment, Faisal said, citing data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).
From the 7.56 million unemployment figure in August 2015, vocational school graduates contributed the most with 12.56 percent, followed by high school graduates with 10.32 percent, according to data from the BPS in 2015.
Kicked off on Dec. 31, 2015, the AEC increases workforce mobility within ASEAN member nations. Marking a critical milestone for the region, the AEC also increases economic integration as well as competition among member countries. (rin)
