Providing Heavy Equipment Training, Social Affairs Minister Prepares Papuan Youth for Work

JAYAPURA (20 September 2023) -- Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini motivated 38 talented young people from East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and Papua who participated in the Basic Mechanic and Heavy Equipment Operator training program at United Tractors Jayapura. During the meeting, the Minister encouraged the participants to keep their enthusiasm for a better future.

"I encourage that nothing big begins with something big. Certainly, something big begins with something small," said the Minister when stating to the media on Wednesday (13/9).

The Minister chose heavy equipment training precisely because of the high prospective demand for workers in this area. Therefore, the Minister collaborated with United Tractors, a construction machinery and mining company, to provide direct training to young people.

"They (United Tractors) have proven work management standards, and that's why I trust them," the Minister stated.

According to the Minister, participants will receive heavy equipment skills certification after completing this program. With this certification, it is hoped these young people will be able to obtain jobs in the heavy equipment construction business.

The Minister also admitted that this was the first time Papuan youngsters had received heavy equipment training. This attempts to encourage native Papuans to work in many fields without being considered inferior to employees from other regions. Aside from that, this training allows young people who are unable to continue their studies to a higher degree to find suitable work.

"When these young people graduate from high school, they may go to higher education. The problem is that not everyone has a chance to go to college. So that's how we think about accommodating them," said the Minister.

Efforts to educate the next generation are also in anticipation of the demographic dividend that Indonesia will confront in 2045. Young people entering the labor force must be prepared with the necessary skills.

"In the future demographic dividend, they will not be a burden on the country. This program is our effort to ensure that they do not simply accept subsidies," the Minister continued.

38 young individuals from three provinces attended the Basic Mechanic and Heavy Equipment Operator Training, including three from East Nusa Tenggara, seven from the Papua Mountains, and 28 from Papua Province. The training is divided into two classes, one for mechanics (18 participants) and one for operators (20 people). The training ran for one month, from 9 August to 9 September 2023.