The government highlighted its commitment to enhancing the competencies of industrial workers to align with Industry 4.0 skills, which serves as the principal foundation for bolstering the national manufacturing sector.
In his address commemorating the International Labor Day in 2026 on Friday, Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita emphasized the importance of cultivating industrial workers who are adaptable, efficient, and highly competitive.
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He underscored that this approach is crucial for sustaining the manufacturing sector's growth momentum in the midst of global uncertainties.
Consequently, Agus reiterated his ministry's dedication to training and cultivating skilled industrial labor to enhance the productivity of the manufacturing sector and play a substantial role in the advancement of the national economy.
With the goal of enhancing the skills of the workforce in alignment with Industry 4.0 standards, the ministry has initiated vocational education and training programs.
These initiatives have been put into effect at 11 polytechnic institutions, two community colleges, and nine vocational high schools (SMK) throughout Indonesia.
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In 2025, the vocational education divisions under the ministry successfully produced 5,472 graduates equipped with the essential skills sought by the manufacturing sector.
Concurrently, enrollment for the Industrial Vocational Admission Pathway (JARVIS) is now open, maintaining the commitment to recruiting high-caliber professionals.
Regarding training initiatives, the government has been implementing developmental programs across seven Industrial Training Centers (BDI), encompassing skill acquisition, re-skilling, and skill enhancement.
In the previous year, a total of 1,362 participants underwent training, received certification, and were subsequently placed through these programs. The Ministry of Industry is proactively endorsing the National Internship Program by coordinating the placement of 3,969 potential employees within a diverse array of industrial firms and organizations.
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Furthermore, the BDI business incubator initiative has effectively cultivated 37 tenants, resulting in the employment of 212 new workers and generating a total revenue of Rp11.5 billion (equivalent to US$663,274). In alignment with the execution of the Making Indonesia 4.0 initiative, the government offers training centered on Industry 4.0 and provides support for digital transformation to industry stakeholders.
Based on data provided by the government, employment in Indonesia's non-oil and gas processing industries has shown a consistent upward trend, rising from 15.49 million individuals in 2015 to an unprecedented 20.26 million individuals by August 2025. This accomplishment underscores the strategic importance of the industrial sector as a key source of employment and a fundamental component of national economic stability, highlighting the robustness and competitive edge of Indonesia's manufacturing industry. In honor of this year's May Day, Agus extended his gratitude and admiration to the laborers within the industrial sector.