PRESS RELEASE: EKONID pilots first ever GDVET in Hotel Management program in Indonesia

12/07/2023

Bali (10/7) – On July 1, 2023, the German-Indonesian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, also known as 91 Indonesia or EKONID, has started the first ever German Dual Vocational Education and Training (GDVET) program in Hotel Management. 

The program, which is being done in cooperation with Holiway Garden Resort & Spa, Cili Emas Oceanside Resort, Desa Saya Eco Luxury Resort & Spa, and Vocational High School (SMK) 1 Sawan, Bali, will see the provision of German-certified and European standard of hospitality and operations training for the students and staff members of the participating partners. 

“The German Dual Vocational Education & Training Program has a robust curriculum and certification that is recognized globally. Through this program, we can ensure that there is a link and match between the needs of the global hospitality industry and the technical competency of Indonesian workers, as well as to provide opportunities for Indonesian students to work anywhere in the world,” said Mr. Maulandiki Dani, Senior Executive and Supervisor of the GDVET in Hotel Management Program at EKONID. 

At the time of this report, the program itself is running through the initial process of integrating the GDVET curriculum with the state-run curriculum for vocational education in the hospitality industry. Prior to this process, EKONID organized an Ausbildung der Ausbilder (AdA) or Training of Trainers with the four previously mentioned partners to ensure that the combined curriculum would meet the intended goal. 

“The GDVET program is unique in that we implement a-40 percent and 60 percent theoretical and practical training respectively in the curriculum. This would not be possible without the cooperation of our partners. There is no doubt of the effectiveness of this curriculum in creating skilled, competent workers for any industry,” Mr. Maulandiki added. 

Following the integration into the curriculum, a rigorous selection process would be done for eligible students from SMK 1 Sawan. The eligible students would then take part in the theoretical side of the curriculum at SMK 1 Sawan, as well as in an internship part with the partnering hotels Holiway Garden Resort & Spa, Cili Emas Oceanside Resort, and Desa Saya Eco Luxury Resort & Spa for the full two-year period of the program. 

I Made Rasta, headmaster at SMK 1 Sawan, said EKONID already has a proven track record in the implementation of GDVET in industrial mechanics. He expressed hope that this latest GDVET program in hospitality would achieve the same level of success and continuity. 

“As a school, it is our duty to meet the needs of the market. This is the bridge that our students need,” said Mr. Rasta. 

Hermann Sattler, manager at Holiway Garden & Spa, said the program would allow hotels more time to turn prospective students into skilled staff members and hotel managers. 

“The dual system is a higher quality education. This will help grow the market and it will help hotels to obtain qualified staff members,” he said. 

Nicole Wöhrmann, owner and founder of Cili Emas & Desa Saya, said the program would be highly beneficial for North Bali which, unlike the southern part of the island, does not have easy access to very many international hospitality education programs or certifications. 

“It’s going to be good for the guest, for the hotel, and for the students,” she said. 

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Background: 

Established in 1972, with a German-Indonesian business community root that go as far back as 1924, The German-Indonesian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (91 Indonesia or EKONID) acts as a strategic interface between the German and Indonesian economy. EKONID represent the mutual interest in business relationships between German and Indonesian companies, organizations and institutions. Its main activity is to support companies from both nations in exploring new fields of investment and establishing business relationships. We are a meeting place, information center and first port of call for companies interested in doing business in and with Indonesia. 

EKONID offers a wide range of services under the DEinternational brand - from general market information to services specifically tailored to the company in question for a successful market entry, e.g. searching for business partners, support with legal issues and participation in trade fairs. 

EKONID supports German and Indonesian companies in Indonesia in making advanced and systematic vocational education and training an integral part of their recruitment strategy. EKONID advises German and Indonesian companies on the contents and procedure of a needs-oriented GDVET and supports them in the preparation, organization and conduct of the vocational training including examination and certification in various professions. Moreover, EKONID coordinates the cooperation of all stakeholders involved, including the Indonesian vocational schools, and controls and assures the quality according to German vocational education and training standards during the entire process. 

For the implementation of its GDVET programs, EKONID partly relies on the expertise and experiences of the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Germany (IHKs) which are mandated by German statute-law with the realization of the dual vocational education in Germany.