Semarang: Rapid industrial growth and technology integration have an impact on the increasing need for adaptive and skilled workers in technological competencies. This was conveyed by the Chairperson of the Central Java Vocational College Consortium, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ir. Kurnianingsih Kurnianingsih in a public discussion at Wisma Perdamaian Semarang, Thursday (7/11/2024).
"The existence of industrial areas certainly creates a new economy that will increase the need for skilled and competent workers. Despite the development of technological innovation, there is still an economic gap," said Kurnianingsih.
He explained, the largest Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) in Central Java today is agriculture, fisheries, forestry. Meanwhile, the industrial area is also growing rapidly.
According to him, vocational graduates are also not in accordance with industry needs. Low levels of education, changes in paradigms and lifestyles of Gen Z, contribute to high levels of poverty and unemployment.
"Vocational education must produce vocational graduates who are ready to work and become entrepreneurs. Local governments need to be catalysts between human resource needs and industry," he said.
The government can issue policies that support the development of skills according to industry needs. Integration and simplification of public services that support vocational development will ensure efficient and integrated administration.
He assessed that the untapped vocational potential includes information and communication technology. In fact, according to him, the demand for jobs in the information and communication technology sector is increasing.
Meanwhile, the manufacturing and textile industry sectors have utilized vocational education. "(The) Tourism and hospitality industry in Semarang, Magelang and other tourist areas have utilized vocational education in the tourism and hospitality sector which is quite developed," he said.
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