Jokowi: Anyone Can Join The Pre-Employment Card Program, Even Students Who Drop Out

President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo. (Photo: Doc. Setkab)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) revealed that the skills of the pre-employment card program participants increased by 88 percent. There are also very many enthusiasts for this program, in 2020 the number who has registered will reach 55 million people.

However, said Jokowi, only 5.6 million had passed the selection to take part in the Pre-Work Card program. Meanwhile, in 2021, the number received will be 1.8 million people.

"There are so many enthusiasts. What does it mean? Indeed, all of them have not been accommodated", he said in a briefing by the President of the Republic of Indonesia to 2020-2021 Pre-Work Card Recipients virtually, Wednesday, March 17.

Jokowi also said that based on the report of the Pre-Employment Card training program, 88 percent of the skills or abilities and skills of the participants increased after attending the training.

"From the survey, 88 percent of their skills have increased, this is what we expect", he said.

Furthermore, Jokowi reminded, that skills must always be improved. The goal is not to be left behind, especially considering the changing times are happening so fast.

"Suddenly, how come we lose our jobs, because of the skills. Others improve skills, but we don't. This is what I need to remind you. Now the times change very quickly", he explained.

The former governor of DKI Jakarta said that the Pre-Employment Card Program was here to help improve the skills and skills of the Indonesian people by providing more than 1,700 kinds of training from 165 training institutions.

"The number is large, then the participants are freely invited to choose which one is chosen according to their interests and possibly their talents", he said.

Jokowi also emphasized that anyone can take part in the semi-social assistance (Bansos) program. Whatever the educational background, both high school, vocational to tertiary education graduates. In fact, they are also affected by layoffs (PHK).

"Welcome for anyone that graduate from high school, the vocational school, or graduate from college, even drop out and get laid off", he said.