The second batch of students of the 鈥淕DVET Program鈥� at State Vocational High School (SMK) 26 are well on their way to becoming work-ready individuals. First introduced three years ago, the 鈥淕DVET Program鈥� is shaping up to be a model for other vocational schools to follow.
Apriyadi, a student at SMK 26, applied directly to a vocational school because his parents could not afford college tuition fees. He plans on getting work immediately after graduating so he could support his parents by working his way through college at the same time.
He was delighted that he was able to join the GDVET Program. The program gave him the edge he needed to obtain employment, whether it be with the company that he apprenticed at or any other company where his skill would be applicable.
鈥淏ecause it鈥檚 in both the school and the company, I gained the benefit of learning both theory and practical skills. I learned that you also need a strong integrity and strong discipline to work in an industry,鈥� he said.
The 鈥淓KONID Industry Class鈥�, as it is colloquially known by Apriyadi and his fellow students at SMK 26, is actually EKONID鈥檚 German Dual Vocational Education and Training (GDVET) program, wherein EKONID supports both member and non-member companies to qualify future skilled workers.
This program falls in line with President Joko Widodo鈥檚 vision of revitalizing Indonesia鈥檚 vocational schools 鈥� a vision he announced when he was first elected President in 2014. Mr. Widodo, who had his start as a humble furniture salesman, saw the value of having strong vocational schools and having a steady stream of skilled and professional industrial workers in his efforts to boost the Indonesian economy.
鈥淲e presented the Kelas Pesanan concept to a number of parties, including the Ministry of Education. From there, we were given the information that EKONID was looking for a school for its model of traineeship pilot project. We then had a meeting with EKONID, after which we agreed that it was indeed a match. The model was completely in line with the concept that we had designed. Thus, in 2017, we started to cooperate with EKONID on this,鈥� Mr. Purwosusilo said.
Future Role Model
Those familiar with Germany鈥檚 dual system would easily recognize the concept of EKONID鈥檚 GDVET program. Utilizing a 60% practical knowledge and experience training and 40% theoretical education structure, EKONID鈥檚 GDVET program has been further optimized with a curriculum that鈥檚 designed to be compatible with the workforce condition in Indonesia whilst still adhering to the German standard. This is expected to result in potential new recruits who are able to adapt to the latest developments in the industrial sector.
EKONID鈥檚 GDVET programs can be tailored to the needs of companies. The GDVET program at SMK 26 is just one example of its successful application. The approach is also being applied in SMK 56, as well as in the Astra Manufacturing Polytechnic (Polman Astra) technical institute 鈥� both in Jakarta.
In SMK 26 specifically, the program is done as a continuous two-month theoretical and four-month apprenticeship components done over the course of two-and-a-half years. Mr. Purwosusilo expressed his amazement at the level of training and education that EKONID and its partner companies are willing to invest in his students. He said his school has worked with other companies to arrange an education and training program similar to EKONID鈥檚, but that EKONID鈥檚 program was the most comprehensive.
鈥淣o other institution is willing to work together like this... the only organization willing to commit to this 2.5 year dual system is EKONID. The rest would only go for one year... In the future, the role model will be EKONID鈥檚 model,鈥� he said.