Jakarta, September 16, 2026 — The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) has sent off the Indonesian contingent for the 48th WorldSkills Competition (WSC) in Shanghai, China. Indonesia is sending 20 competitors in 17 areas of expertise and 17 experts to perform technical and assessment functions in the competition.

Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Wamendikdasmen), Fajar Riza Ul Haq, stated that Indonesia's participation in the WSC not only provides an opportunity to achieve success but also provides a momentum for Indonesian vocational education to observe developments in skills and technology at the global level. "The event in Shanghai will serve as a kind of standardization of the quality of vocational education in Indonesia," he said in Jakarta on Tuesday (September 15).

According to him, the various fields competed in the WSC can provide a glimpse into relevant skills for the future. This needs to be addressed through the development of vocational education to ensure it remains relevant and able to meet the needs of modern humans, including in the era of artificial intelligence (AI).

"From the branches competed in Shanghai, I think we can see which study programs and skills will be relevant in the future, and I believe vocational education in Indonesia must respond to this," he said.

Deputy Minister Fajar also stated that the development of AI does not necessarily eliminate the need for technical jobs. He noted that fields such as electricity, plumbing , building, and construction, which are being competed in the WSC, demonstrate that technical skills still have a place in the workforce.

"Amidst the onslaught of artificial intelligence, technical jobs still have a place. I see that among the branches being competed are electrical, plumbing, building, and construction," he said.

Meanwhile, the Director General of Secondary and Special Education (Dirjen Dikmen Diksus), Tatang Muttaqin, stated that the Indonesian contingent had undergone extensive preparation and training. The competitors were vocational high school students and alumni, as well as talents from various partner industrial institutions who underwent training lasting from six to nearly a year.

"They're not leaving with just suitcases. They're carrying the name of Indonesia. They didn't arrive suddenly; they underwent extensive training, rigorous selection, struggle, and repeated mistakes until they became experts," said Director General Tatang.

He explained that WSC is the world's largest skills stage that requires participants to have not only precision skills, but also speed, creativity, and the ability to meet world standards and benchmarks.

"Of course we want medals, but don't just come home with medals. Come home with experience, come home with technology, and come home with world-class standards," he stressed.

According to Director General Tatang, the experience the contingent gained during the competition in Shanghai is expected to provide broader benefits for the development of vocational education in Indonesia. "Because the greatest victory isn't just when the red and white flag flies on the podium. The greatest victory is when the experience from Shanghai changes the way we educate and train millions of vocational school students in the country," he said.*** (Writer: Rayhan/Photographer: Morecka/Editor: Stephanie)

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Source: Siaran Pers Kementerian Pendidikan Dasar dan Menengah Nomor: 810/sipers/A6/IX/2026

Writer: Rayhan Parady

Editor: Denty Anugrahmawaty

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