National Vocational Training: Efforts by the Ministry of Labor to Train Work-Ready Workers
The Deputy Minister of Labor (Wamenaker), Afriansyah Noor, emphasized that the National Vocational Training (PVN) is one of the efforts of the Ministry of Labor to train workers who are work-ready, productive, and suitable for the needs of business and industry.
According to him, the increasingly rapidly changing labor market requires workers to possess relevant competencies and be able to adapt to industrial developments.
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Afriansyah made this statement during the opening of the third cohort of the National Vocational Training (PVN) of 2026 at the Center for Vocational and Productivity Training (BPVP) in Padang, West Sumatra, on July 24, 2026.
The program was attended by 982 participants from BPVP Padang, the service units (Satpel) in Jambi and Sawahlunto, and various supporting technical implementation units (UPTD) in West Sumatra and Jambi.
“Vocational training is not just about acquiring skills, but is also an investment in training people who are ready for the labor market, are productive, and can meet the needs of the business and industry sectors,” said Afriansyah.
He explained that the Ministry of Labor is targeting 300,000 participants in various national vocational training programs across Indonesia by 2026. This objective is part of a broader effort to increase public access to competency-based education while simultaneously improving the readiness of the workforce to better align with the needs of the business and industry sectors.
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In addition to increasing access to education, the Ministry of Labor is also focusing on workers affected by layoffs and on workers who wish to improve their competencies.
Through retraining and upskilling programs, participants are equipped with new skills, increasing their chances of finding a job or starting their own business.
“We want to ensure that people affected by economic changes still have the opportunity to improve their competencies. With new skills, they have the opportunity to return to work or start their own business,” said Afriansyah.
Afriansyah added that vocational training must be tailored to the specific potential of each region, so that the competencies participants acquire actually align with the needs of the labor market.
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In West Sumatra, competency development focuses on the service sector, trade, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form key pillars of the regional economy.
To support these efforts, the BPVP (Agency for Vocational Training and Development) must continuously optimize its partner network with the business community, industry, and SMEs to increase the influx of graduates and their productivity.
This approach is expected to increase the influx of graduates into the workforce while simultaneously creating opportunities for new entrepreneurs to stimulate the regional economy.
At the BPVP Padang, 85 participants took part in training sessions across six programs: barista, commercial food processing, domestic tasks, modern 3D CAD drawing, FCAW (Flux-Cored Arc Welding) welding technique, and bridal makeup.
Additionally, five other training programs will start on July 27, 2026: clothing production, construction worker K3 1, construction worker K3 2, maintenance and repair of domestic air conditioning, and surveyor.
Afriansyah concluded his speech with a call to the audience to change their perspective on the labor market. He stated that career opportunities are not limited to civil servants (ASN), but are also widely available in the private sector and through entrepreneurship.
“Do not focus on just one career choice. The most important thing is that you possess skills, so that more opportunities arise for work and entrepreneurship,” he said. ***rel
