Indonesia Boosts Vocational Education for 'Golden Indonesia 2045' Vision

Indonesia is strategically enhancing its vocational education system as a cornerstone for achieving its ambitious 'Golden Indonesia 2045' vision. The government recognizes that preparing a skilled, adaptable workforce capable of meeting evolving industry demands requires vocational training to be viewed not as a secondary option, but as a vital pathway within the tertiary education system.

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Vocational education needs to be positioned as one of the main pathways in preparing a skilled, adaptive Indonesian workforce ready to face changing industry needs.

This emphasis on practical skills is crucial for long-term economic growth. Beyond academic knowledge, Indonesia needs professionals who can solve problems, adapt to technological advancements, and understand specific industry requirements. The National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) has identified human resource and education transformation as key priorities for realizing the nation's 2045 aspirations.

A recent roundtable discussion, "Shaping Indonesia's Workforce: Connecting Education, Skills and Industry," co-hosted by RMIT University, the Indonesian Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, and the Australian Embassy in Indonesia, underscored these points. The dialogue focused on the critical need for synergy between education and industry, the implementation of flexible learning pathways, enhancing educator capabilities, and fostering robust connections between vocational and higher education institutions.

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Vocational education should not be seen as a second choice after academic education, but as an important part of the tertiary education system that can bridge the world of education and the world of work.

RMIT University Indonesia is actively advocating for a paradigm shift in how vocational education is perceived. The institution promotes the view that vocational and higher education are interconnected, strategically important pathways, rather than hierarchical levels. Tantia Dian Permata Indah, Director of RMIT Indonesia, stressed the necessity of a system that bridges vocational and higher education, values practical skills equally with academic knowledge, integrates learning with industry practices, and allows for fluid transitions between different educational tracks as careers evolve.

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Indonesia needs a system that connects vocational and higher education, places practical skills on par with academic knowledge, integrates learning with industry, and allows students to move between different pathways as industries and careers develop.

The urgency to strengthen vocational education is further highlighted by the challenges faced by vocational high school graduates entering the workforce. Official statistics from 2025 indicated an 8.63% open unemployment rate among these graduates, signaling a gap between the skills acquired in educational institutions and the demands of the job market. This situation underscores the need for closer collaboration between educational bodies, industry, and government to ensure vocational programs effectively produce the competencies required by the modern economy.

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The urgency to strengthen vocational education is also reflected in the challenges of vocational school graduates transitioning to the workforce. The Central Statistics Agency recorded an open unemployment rate of 8.63 percent for vocational high school graduates in 2025.