Jakarta, September 18, 2026 – For Fifayu Zuhara Malelestari, the spa skills she learned through the Vocational Skills Education Program (PKK) aren't just for completing her training. From the training room, she is now preparing to realize her dream of working as a spa therapist in Turkey. Fifayu is a PKK Spa Therapist participant at LKP Puspita Martha International Beauty School, pursuing a placement abroad.
"I hope to graduate from here with competence and to enhance my skills . Working there is also one of my dreams, as the salary abroad is quite substantial, and I want to learn a new culture and language abroad," he said.
During the training, Fifayu found massage skills to be one of the most beneficial skills for her work as a spa therapist. She hopes to graduate with strong competencies, enhance her skills, and gain work experience in Turkey. Fifayu's decision to work abroad was also driven by her desire to experience a new culture and language during her two years in Turkey.
Another participant, Khana Sus Nurprasetyo, graduated from a vocational school specializing in beauty. She then found information about the PKK Spa Therapist training at Puspita Martha through social media. According to Khana, massage and wellness skills are crucial because they are in demand in the spa industry and, she believes, cannot be easily replaced by technology. She sees the opportunity to participate in the program as a way to develop her skills and learn about other cultures.
"The opportunity to work abroad allows me to develop my skills and talents, expand my abilities, and learn about other cultures so I don't get stuck here. I hope programs like this will remain open so more participants can learn, practice, and gain the same experience I did," he said.
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen) Abdul Mu'ti said that alumni of course and training institutions and vocational schools who work abroad are not only trying to improve their quality of life, but also bring Indonesia's name to the countries where they work.
"The alumni of training courses and vocational schools that we send off to work abroad carry a mission for Indonesia. They are heroes, fighters who not only strive to improve their quality of life personally but also bring honor to the nation and state wherever they work," he said.
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education considers the existence of course institutions to be an important part in providing opportunities for every Indonesian citizen to develop themselves and achieve their dreams, regardless of economic conditions or social status.
"The existence of these training institutions is an important part of how we provide opportunities to every Indonesian citizen, wherever they are, regardless of their economic situation or social status. They are all Indonesian children whom we must support and help them achieve their dreams for their own advancement and, of course, for the quality and progress of the nation and state," he said.
Furthermore, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education stated that various training programs need to equip participants with both hard and soft skills, while still prioritizing a human and personal touch . He stated that future training models should also incorporate an entrepreneurial element so that participants not only have the skills to work as employees but also have the opportunity to develop into entrepreneurs.
The opportunity was part of the release of 2,883 PKK Program alumni from 20 LKPs, delivered by the Director General of Secondary and Special Education, Tatang Muttaqin, in a series of activities at LKP Puspita Martha International Beauty School, Jakarta, Thursday (17/9). Tatang said that PKK alumni who work abroad bring skills acquired through non-formal education while bringing Indonesia's name to the international work environment. This release was spread across various destination countries, starting from Bulgaria with 1,831 people, then Japan with 692 people, Turkey with 212 people, and Malaysia with 76 people. Tatang said that the opportunity to work abroad needs to be utilized by alumni to develop experience while maintaining Indonesia's good name.
"They not only bring skills but also bring honor to the Indonesian nation. They work in various sectors: manufacturing, garments, spas and aesthetics, hotels, and even service industries in various countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. They are living proof that Indonesia's non-formal education can produce competent and globally competitive human resources," he explained.
Meanwhile, Director of LKP Puspita Martha International Beauty School, Wulan Maharani Tilaar, said that Puspita Martha has been entrusted with organizing the PKK Platinum program since 2021. The program is aimed at producing competent human resources in the beauty and spa sector who are able to compete internationally. She emphasized that her institution's partnership with the Ministry of Education and Culture extends not only to the PKK program but also to micro-credentials for LKP instructors and vocational high school teachers, as well as the development of curriculum and educational materials for industry-based skills courses.*** (Author: Destya/Photographer: Yuswan Rosepi/Editor: Ririn)
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