Indonesia, Austria Build Maritime Vocational Training Center

TheIndonesia.co - The Ministry of Manpower started the construction of maritime vocational training center (BLK) in Makassar, South Sulawesi, through a cooperation with the Austrian government.

According to the Ministry, the cooperation, which is in a form of a soft loan, consists of four main components: building construction, equipment procurement, curriculum and program development, as well as instructor and management training which is based on the Austrian standard and is recognized in Europe.

“It will be based on what’s needed in Indonesia,” Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah said during groundbreaking of the center in Makassar on Tuesday, November 23.

Deputy Head of Mission of the Austrian Embassy in Jakarta Phillip Roesslr explained that the center will support the optimization of fisheries and maritime which are some of the local potentials in Makassar. The center will offer training courses in electricity, metalwork, wood and glass fiber work, marine engineering, and welding.

Material will be delivered comprehensively through in-class theoretical lectures, simulations, and field practices.

“The involvement of industry players is one of the crucial elements in the implementation of BLK Maritim Makassar’s program, through the establishment of industry forum, including national and international players in the maritime sector, which will contribute to the training,” Roesslr said.

The maritime-focused center is part of BLK Makassar, and Minister Fauziyah said the center will not only bring benefits to people in Makassar, but also to other parts of Indonesia.

Training is estimated to start in 2022 and, the initiative is expected to strengthen the bilateral relationship and commitment between the two countries, especially in vocational training sector.