Indonesia aligns worker training with Japan's industry needs

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Ministry of Manpower is mapping the workforce needs of Japanese industries to better align the preparation of Indonesian workers with the demands of businesses in Japan.

Deputy Minister of Manpower Afriansyah Noor said here on Tuesday that Japan continues to offer significant opportunities for skilled Indonesian labor, particularly in the automotive, transportation, construction, agriculture, and caregiving sectors.

"Job opportunities in Japan should be supported by Indonesian workers with competencies that match industry needs. Human resource preparation is not just about technical skills, but also language proficiency, an understanding of work culture, and adaptability," Noor said in a statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday (July 14).

During recent meetings in Japan with officials from the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, training and placement agencies, several Japanese companies, and the Secretariat of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO), Noor highlighted the need for training programs that closely mirror actual working conditions in Japanese corporations.

He noted that Japanese language proficiency and strict adherence to standard operating procedures are pivotal skills for Indonesian workers in Japan.

Therefore, Noor emphasized that pre-departure training must encompass not only conversational Japanese but also the technical vocabulary used in the workplace, including safety terminology and operational communication.

In addition to competency enhancement, the visit also addressed the strengthening of protections for Indonesian migrant workers in Japan.

These protective measures include mentoring, complaint-handling services, adaptability training, and familiarization with Japanese work culture, such as discipline, punctuality, regulatory compliance, and workplace communication.

Meanwhile, the meeting with the APO Secretariat explored opportunities to strengthen cooperation in productivity. It encompasses human resource capacity building, robust productivity certification, and the utilization of innovation and technology to enhance the competitiveness of the Indonesian workers.

The findings of this industry mapping will serve as a baseline for the ministry to continuously tailor its vocational training, competency certification, and workforce preparation programs to meet the evolving demands of the global job market.

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Translator: Arnidhya Zhafira, Uyu Liman

Editor: Bayu Prasetyo

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