You are currently viewing Indonesia Establishing 21 BLK In West Papua To Improve SDM Quality

Indonesia Establishing 21 BLK In West Papua To Improve SDM Quality

Focusing on accelerating local’s human resource quality was always part of the OTSUS (special autonomy law) milestone in west Papua. Among the abundant fund infuses into the region, the local and central government also allocate some budget to vocation education. And lately, Indonesia and the provincial government have established 21 BLK (Balai Latihan Kerja) or Job training centers.

As Part Of The National Program To Improve Human Resource Through Education

In 2019, Maruf Amin, vice president of Indonesia, pinpoint one of the national priority programs to increase SDM or human resources is through education. The formula and program are planned to decrease illiteracy, spread awareness, willingness, and reach the standard minimum of national education in Indonesia.

Not only make people go to school, but it allows locals to gain a chance the be more advanced compared to many other provinces. So, locals won’t get underestimated again. However, during a meeting with other ministries, the vice president requested BLK or Balai Latihan Kerja to improve the vocation program in the region.

The man said that education improvement should always be pushed and prioritized to create eminent individuals. It is for both Papua and the West Papua region. The two regions have vast potential in terms of economy, industry, and human resources. With proper education, locals won’t lose their rights, develop, and improve welfare.

OTSUS Revision Infuses More Fund For The Region

During the meeting, Maruf also mentioned the revision of the new OTSUS or special autonomy law Papua. The vice president mentioned that the OTSUS fund for DAU or Dana Alokasi Umum (general budget allocation) has a huge increase from 2% to 2.25%. It makes the program has a hefty infuse to provide better education.

The fund was dedicated to increasing and improving the locals or Orang Asli Papua (OAP) welfare. Not only the vice president, Ida Fuaziyah as Minister of Labor also highlighted increasing SDM by involving vocation program through BLK. That is why the minister will always push in improving workforce competence, human resource, and ability to compete nationally.  

Ida mentioned that BLK is not a new idea. There is BLK UPTP located in Sorong, and the government will also support the implementation in the smaller district. It means to reach people and provide a proper chance for everyone in West Papua. The BLK will likely be developed in five regencies, South Manokwari, Arfak, Wondama, and Bintuni.

The Idea Of Job Training Center

the idea of a Job training center establishment is not far from the education program. In addition to improving and increasing infrastructure in every location, BLK will fall into the first agenda. The agenda is to develop and run a boarding vocational school, which focuses on increasing skills for students.

BLK itself has a more dedicated function. It means to support the vocation education, so locals can get the chance to Skilling, upskilling, and reskilling. Ida mentioned that improving competence is not only available for students. However, job candidate also has the chance to strengthen their ability through the help of national or international standard BLK. 

Implementation of the BLK ideas and project

Wapres Harap BLK Komunitas Bisa Kembangkan SDM di Papua | Republika Online

Reaching the end of 2021, Maruf Amin inaugurated 21 BLK facility communities across Papua. The symbolic inauguration was done on October 16, 2021. The vice president shows appreciation to Kemnaker (ministry of labor) for the designated budget through 2017 to 2020. During that period, west Papua and Papua has a total of 12 new BLK facilities.

In 2021, the number is planned to get bigger. The budget allocation and program should be dedicated to developing 21 facilities. Of 21 facilities, 9 are located in the western part of Papua and the 12 of the rest are located in the heart of Papua. it was a great milestone since the target is around 25 at the end of 2021.

Despite being unable to reach the real target, 21 facilities have been proof that both local and central governments can work together. The Vice president stated that increasing local welfare and competence demands collaboration from the government and indigenous people. It won’t work without synergy from locals, businesses, industry, and local communities.

Both vice president and minister, once again, highlight the function of blk is to provide education and easier reach for locals. Moreover, it also means to easier the process and provides infrastructure for locals to learn in the future. It also mentioned that hopefully, BLK can help provide technical skills and expertise for vocation. Which helps in the west Papua workforce and competence.

As one of the education developments programs, BLK might be one of the best ways to reach locals and people. Vocation in general help local gain more skills and technical ability to go straight into job and vacancies. The idea is also supported by OTSUS and has been part of education development agendas to increase locals’ human resource and workforce competence.