Skills first, diplomas second: The Ministry of Manpower’s clear message to vocational students
The Ministry of Manpower (Kemnaker) emphasizes the importance of vocational graduates acquiring concrete competencies to meet the needs of the labor market.
Beyond technical skills, students must also develop their character, enrich their experience, and master digital technology to navigate the challenges of an ever-evolving job market.
Kemnaker Secretary-General Cris Kuntadi stated that there are four key elements students must possess to succeed in the workplace and make a positive impact: competence, character, experience, and collaboration.
“In today’s labor market, it is not just about formal education—it is primarily about skills. Companies do not hire based solely on where a candidate graduated from; they hire based on the specific competencies they actually need. Therefore, we must prepare ourselves by focusing on these competencies,” Cris emphasized during a public lecture at the Makassar Aviation Polytechnic on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
Cris explained that academic achievements must be complemented by tangible evidence of practical ability. This can be demonstrated through successfully completed projects, a professional portfolio, hands-on experience, and official certifications that validate acquired skills.
In addition to technical competencies, Cris highlighted the importance of digital literacy and the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
These skills must be cultivated so that vocational graduates can adapt to technological advancements and the shifting demands of the labor market. On this occasion, the Ministry of Manpower also introduced the digital ecosystem for employment services, SIAPKerja, which includes SkillHub, MagangHub, SertiHub, KarirHub, BizHub, and the Talent Innovation Hub.
These services were launched to support competency development and preparation for the labor market.
Cris also advised the cadets to always maintain their integrity and an unyielding spirit. He emphasized that leadership is not defined solely by external factors, but is also built through one’s own attitude and actions.
Meanwhile, Sukarwoto, Director of the Makassar Aviation Polytechnic, stated that developing a high-quality, competent, and globally competitive workforce in the transport sector is essential for achieving the goals of “Indonesia Emas 2045” (Golden Indonesia 2045).
To achieve this, synergy between the government, educational institutions, and the business sector is necessary to ensure that graduates possess competencies that align with the needs of the professional world. ***rel
Tag: Competencies of vocational education graduates, Ministry of Manpower, labor market, skills versus diplomas, cadets, vocational education, digital literacy, artificial intelligence (AI), the Ministry of Manpower’s SIAPKerja platform, competency certification, 4 key requirements for vocational graduates according to the Ministry of Manpower, the importance of skills over diplomas in the labor market, digital job placement via SIAPKerja, vocational graduates ready for the workforce, Indonesia Emas 2045 (Golden Indonesia 2045), Makassar Aviation Polytechnic, public lecture by the Ministry of Manpower
Hastag: #MinistryOfManpower #VocationalGraduates #WorkReady #SkillsOverDiplomas #DigitalLiteracy #IndonesiaEmas2045 #SIAPKerja
Skill Nomor Satu, Ijazah Nomor Dua: Pesan Tegas Kemnaker untuk Taruna Vokasi
Kementerian Ketenagakerjaan (Kemnaker) menekankan pentingnya penguasaan kompetensi nyata bagi lulusan pendidikan vokasi agar mampu memenuhi kebutuhan dunia kerja.
Selain keahlian, taruna-taruni juga perlu membangun karakter, memperkaya pengalaman, serta menguasai teknologi digital untuk menghadapi tantangan dunia kerja yang terus berkembang.
Sekretaris Jenderal Kemnaker Cris Kuntadi mengatakan, ada empat bekal penting yang perlu dipersiapkan agar taruna-taruni dapat berkarya dan memberikan dampak positif di lingkungan kerja, yaitu kompetensi, karakter, pengalaman, dan kolaborasi.
“Karena sekarang di dunia kerja itu yang ditanya bukan school saja, tetapi lebih kepada skill. Perusahaan merekrut bukan untuk melihat lulusan dari mana, tetapi kompetensinya yang benar-benar dibutuhkan. Maka kompetensi ini menjadi sesuatu yang harus kita siapkan,” tegas Cris dalam Kuliah Umum di Politeknik Penerbangan Makassar, Kamis, 29 Oktober 2026.
Cris menjelaskan, pencapaian akademik perlu dilengkapi dengan bukti kemampuan yang dapat ditunjukkan kepada dunia kerja. Hal ini dapat diwujudkan melalui proyek yang berhasil diselesaikan, portofolio karya, pengalaman langsung di lapangan, serta sertifikasi resmi sebagai pengakuan atas keahlian yang dikuasai.
Selain kompetensi teknis, Cris mengingatkan pentingnya penguasaan literasi digital dan pemanfaatan kecerdasan buatan atau artificial intelligence (AI).
Kemampuan tersebut perlu dikembangkan agar lulusan vokasi dapat beradaptasi dengan perkembangan teknologi dan perubahan kebutuhan dunia kerja.
Dalam kesempatan tersebut, Kemnaker juga memperkenalkan ekosistem layanan digital ketenagakerjaan SIAPKerja yang mencakup SkillHub, MagangHub, SertiHub, KarirHub, BizHub, dan Talent Innovation Hub. Layanan tersebut diperkenalkan untuk mendukung pengembangan kompetensi dan persiapan memasuki dunia kerja.
Cris juga berpesan agar para taruna-taruni senantiasa menjaga integritas dan memiliki semangat pantang menyerah. Ia menekankan bahwa kepemimpinan tidak semata-mata ditentukan oleh faktor eksternal, tetapi juga dibangun melalui sikap dan tindakan dari dalam diri sendiri.
Sementara itu, Direktur Politeknik Penerbangan Makassar Sukarwoto menyampaikan bahwa penyiapan sumber daya manusia (SDM) transportasi yang unggul, kompeten, dan berdaya saing global menjadi kunci dalam menyongsong Indonesia Emas 2045.
Untuk mewujudkannya, sinergi antara pemerintah, lembaga pendidikan, dan dunia usaha diperlukan agar lulusan memiliki kompetensi yang sesuai dengan kebutuhan dunia profesional. ***rel
Tag: kompetensi lulusan vokasi, Kemnaker, dunia kerja, skill vs ijazah, taruna taruni, pendidikan vokasi, literasi digital, artificial intelligence (AI), SIAPKerja Kemnaker, sertifikasi kompetensi, 4 bekal penting lulusan vokasi menurut Kemnaker, pentingnya skill dibanding ijazah di dunia kerja, layanan digital ketenagakerjaan SIAPKerja, lulusan vokasi siap kerja Indonesia Emas 2045, Politeknik Penerbangan Makassar kuliah umum Kemnaker
Hashtag: #Kemnaker #LulusanVokasi #SiapKerja #SkillBukanIjazah #LiterasiDigital #IndonesiaEmas2045 #SIAPKerja
