Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has called for increasing the involvement of vocational high school students in industries to help them gain direct experience.
He made the call while visiting an electronics factory belonging to PT Pembina Galindra Electric Co. at the Bekasi International Industrial Estate (BIIE), Bekasi, West Java, on Wednesday.
According to a statement received from the Vice President's Secretariat, Gibran expressed optimism that the step would strengthen the competence and competitiveness of vocational high school graduates in facing the world of work.
He also emphasized that the greater the local component in products made in Indonesia, the stronger the national industry would be.
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He reminded all industry players to not only focus on technological progress, but also environmentally friendly and sustainable aspects.
During his visit, Vice President Gibran witnessed workers assembling various electronic devices.
The visit was aimed at reviewing the readiness and observing the dynamics of the manufacturing sector, while also encouraging an increase in the contribution of the domestic industry to national economic growth.
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Earlier, during a meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) on Tuesday, the Indonesian Education Graduates Association (ISPI) proposed that the Bill on the National Education System regulate the transformation of vocational high schools into vocational centers.
According to an ISPI representative, Prof. Ganefri, the transformation is needed as vocational high school graduates are among those who are facing hardships in getting jobs.
"The largest contributors to the unemployment rate at the secondary education level are vocational school graduates," he said.
