Government Begins Developing Maritime Training Center in Makassar

JAKARTA – Through the Manpower Ministry (Kemenaker), the government is in the process of building maritime training centers (BLK) in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

This project is a joint venture between the Indonesian government and the Austrian government, who is paying for the project through a soft loan scheme. The development of the maritime BLK will comprise of 4 main components including the construction of a building, procurement of training equipment, developing standard curriculum and training syllabuses and developing infrastructure management training programs in line with Austrian and European standards.

"Of course, there is a need in Indonesia for infrastructure management training," said Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah on Tuesday (23/11). Minister Ida emphasized that the maritime BLK program is part of the vocational training center (VTC) development project at the Makassar BLK. This program is a manifestation of the Kemenaker's 9 Great Leaps program, which is to make BLK centers for competency development and workforce productivity that are competitive on the national and international levels. Several components in the BLK transformation process were carried out through the revitalization of facilities and infrastructure as well as through a revolution in existing human resources. 

In addition, Minister Ida hopes that the maritime BLK project can make a sizeable contribution not only to the community around the Makassar BLK, but also throughout Indonesia. 

"I hope that this activity can start by 2022, especially as it establishes cooperation between the Austrian and Indonesian governments in the field of vocational training and can provide significant added benefits for both countries," she said. 

Meanwhile, the Kemenaker's Director General for the Guidance of Vocational and Productivity Training (Binalavotas) Budi Hartawan noted that implementing transformational policies in the BLK project would require the necessary innovation and proper funding schemes for infrastructure development, training programs and infrastructure capacity growth. 

"One of the funding schemes that will be implemented include the use of loans from the Austrian government to develop maritime BLKs in 2 further locations, namely in Medan and Serang," Budi Hartawan said. 

Meanwhile, the Austrian Embassy to Indonesia's Deputy Head of Mission Philipp Rössl said that for the Makassar site, the training program will be designed in order for the surrounding fishery and maritime industries to thrive as well. The center will offer several courses in the field of electric management, steelwork, maritime techniques, wood-fiber and glass crafting and welding. 

The training programs will be carried out comprehensively in the form of deep theoretical studies, simulation exercises using simulators (machine simulators and electrical simulators) in workshops, and practical industry work.

"Industry participation is one of the main elements in the implementation of the Makassar maritime BLK development program through the establishment of industrial forums and skill councils from domestic and foreign maritime industry players who will help provide guidance," concluded Rössl.