Indonesia urges BRICS members to strengthen future skills forecasting

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Manpower Minister Yassierli called on BRICS members to rally behind concerted efforts to identify skills relevant to future needs and strengthen human resource development strategies accordingly.

He highlighted the evolving nature of job market demands during the BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting 2026 in Hyderabad, India, on Wednesday (July 15), according to a statement received in Jakarta on Thursday.

“Indonesia finds it important to strengthen mutual understanding regarding manpower and future skills. Therefore, Indonesia proposes placing future skills forecasting as one of the priorities in BRICS CONNECT,” Yassierli said.

BRICS CONNECT, an initiative floated during the meeting, serves as a cooperation platform among BRICS members to advance technical collaboration on labor and employment.

The minister stressed that the proposed approach is vital to help BRICS nations anticipate job market shifts driven by technological advances, industrial transformation, demographic changes, and the transition into the green economy.

"Indonesia views BRICS as a strategic platform to strengthen South-South cooperation, learn from one another, and identify practical solutions for workers, businesses, and the wider public," he stated.

He underscored future skills forecasting as an effective tool for governments to align manpower development policies and strategies with emerging needs and demands.

Apart from outlining the proposal, the minister used the forum to share Indonesia’s best practices in strengthening job market resilience.

He cited expanded access to training and social protection for informal workers, a task force to mitigate layoffs, improved job loss insurance programs, and inclusive employment initiatives for women, persons with disabilities, and residents in remote areas.

Highlighting human resource development, the minister pointed to the ongoing construction of a vocational training and employment services center dedicated to persons with disabilities.

He further underlined the National Internship Program and the National Vocational Training Program as concrete efforts to better link education with labor market needs, targeting a combined 450,000 participants this year.

The minister also emphasized continued efforts to develop an integrated digital employment services and labor market information platform to support faster and more targeted policymaking.

“Indonesia is ready to cooperate with all BRICS countries to build a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable employment landscape. We stand ready to share and learn,” Yassierli affirmed.

BRICS comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia. The bloc aims to strengthen economic and geopolitical cooperation among its member states.

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Translator: A. Nur Zhafira, Tegar Nurfitra

Editor: Azis Kurmala

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