Vocational training is in line with Indonesian President Joko Widodo's directives to improve and prepare excellent, advanced, skilled and internationally competitive human resources.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The governments of Indonesia and Austria have agreed to establish manpower cooperation, particularly vocational training, in order to strengthen the development of human resources.

On Nov. 10, the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Manpower and Economy signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in vocational training and work-based training, according to the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a written statement received here on Friday.

"I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the Austrian government for signing an agreement that reflects a shared commitment to strengthening human resource development," Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah said.

The signing of between Indonesia and Austria was carried out in Jakarta, Indonesia, by Indonesian Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah and Austrian Federal Minister for the Economy and Manpower Martin Kocher.

The MOU serves as an umbrella for the development of cooperation in the field of manpower, which includes training in vocational education programs and the initiative to place skilled Indonesian workers through apprenticeships in Austria.

The signing was carried out after a bilateral meeting between Indonesia and Austria which discussed various efforts to increase cooperation in the field of manpower between the two countries.

The Austrian government has also provided assistance to increase the competence of manpower through the construction of vocational and productivity training centers in four locations in Indonesia, namely Medan (North Sumatra province), Serang (Banten province), Makassar (South Sulawesi province) and Banyuwangi (East Java province).

The four training centers were built under a soft loan scheme from the Austrian government.

The centers are expected to produce skilled workers with various vocational developments in the fields of tourism, hospitality industry, joinery, welding, electricity, marine engine, metal working and wood-glass fiber working.

This is in line with President Joko Widodo's directives to improve and prepare human resources that are excellent, advanced, skilled and internationally competitive.

Reporting by Indonesia Window