President Jokowi Asks SMK To Cooperate In Industry To Improve Student Skills

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) visited SMK Negeri 2 Palembang, South Sumatra, Thursday (26/10/2023). (ANTARA/HO-Biro Press of the Presidential Secretariat/Rusman)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked vocational high schools to establish cooperation with the industrial world to improve student skills.

"I see that schools have established relationships with industry, there are orders from there, there are training their skills in the industry. I think this is what we have to build," said President Jokowi after reviewing SMK Negeri 2 Palembang, South Sumatra, as quoted by ANTARA from a written statement from the Presidential Secretariat, Thursday, October 26.

Jokowi appreciates the expertise and skills of students who can bring good school names, such as in the fields of arts, cinema, and sports.

Jokowi also appreciated the efforts of SMK Negeri 2 Palembang to prepare adequate supporting facilities for student practice learning. He encouraged other vocational schools to continue to improve supporting facilities in honing students' skills.

"Indeed, some SMKs still lack technical equipment, goods to hone children's skills are still lacking. This must be improved," he said.

Regarding employment, Jokowi views the importance of preparing superior human resources accompanied by wide job opportunities. The government, he said, continues to open up investment opportunities in the country in order to create many jobs.

That's why we open the biggest investment. That's what will absorb good workers at SMK, both at universities, everything is from investment. Without that it's useless for us to prepare superior human resources and then there's nothing to absorb," he said.