Jakarta, June 30, 2025 - In order to improve access to educational services for dropouts (APS) from vocational high schools (SMK), the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) launched the 1,000 APS SMK Berdaya Movement through the Work Skills Education (PKK) and Entrepreneurship Skills Education (PKW) Programs in Jakarta, Monday (30-6-2025). This program is expected to open new hopes for APS to be independent and competitive through the PKK and PKW programs.
With the title "Returning to Empowerment, Returning to Meaning," this program is a strategic collaboration between the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, local governments, and course and training institutions (LKP) throughout Indonesia to provide job and entrepreneurial skills for vocational high school dropouts.
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen), Abdul Mu'ti, in his remarks stated that every child has the right to receive quality education, including those who drop out of school for various reasons.
"This step demonstrates our commitment to reactivating non-formal education. Because today, what's required is skills competency, not just a diploma. This program provides greater opportunities for school dropouts to compete in the workforce, start businesses, and create jobs," said Minister Abdul Mu'ti.
Abdul Mu'ti further stated that this program also serves as a solution to reduce unemployment and the number of school dropouts, particularly from vocational schools. Therefore, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu'ti urged all parties to support and ensure the program's success.
"The PKK and PKW programs also represent universal participation in ensuring that education is truly available to all and that every Indonesian child has the opportunity to regain their empowerment and meaning," said Minister Abdul Mu'ti.
Lalu Hadrian Irfani, Deputy Chairman of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), also expressed his appreciation for this initiative. In his remarks, Hadrian stated that the ministry plays a crucial role in improving community competency. The role of industry must also be a focus in program implementation.
"This movement addresses the challenge of unemployment and stimulates the local economy in each region. Therefore, this is a priority in revitalization, especially linking and matching with industry to ensure the program's success," said Hadrian.
Joint Collaborative Efforts
The Director General of Vocational Education, Special Education, Special Service Education, Ministry of Elementary and Secondary Education, Tatang Muttaqin, on the same occasion said that work and entrepreneurship education and training activities are part of vocational and practical programs that can be directly applied in the business and industrial world (DUDI).
"APS from this vocational school will receive intensive vocational skills training relevant to the needs of the DUDI for one to two months as provisions for them to enter the world of business and industry," explained Tatang.
As a collaborative program between the central government, regional governments, and the LKP (Lembaga Pelayanan Terpadu/LKP), Tatang continued, this program will be implemented in 33 provinces, involving 245 LKPs. It will not only focus on large cities but will also target areas in need of greater attention, including underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions.
The regional government is tasked with preparing the APS data for vocational high schools, which will then be provided with job and entrepreneurship training at selected LKPs that have experience in organizing PKK and PKW programs and have strong collaborations with DUDI partners for graduate absorption, including MSMEs, capital institutions, and digital platforms to assist in marketing and developing their graduates' businesses.
"So, after completing the program, those who choose PKK and APS SMK can start working within a maximum of one year after completing the program because the LKP organizer has collaborated with DUDI (Indonesian Industrial Industry) and participants have also taken a competency test and obtained a competency certificate. Meanwhile, PKW participants can immediately start a business because in addition to business mentoring, participants are also provided with business capital assistance. For example, to purchase raw materials and so on," explained Director General Tatang.
PKK and PKW Programs for Institutions and Participants
The Head of the West Java Provincial Office, Purwanto, welcomed the collaboration between the central and regional governments in addressing APS. He stated that the high APS rate remains a challenge for many local governments in Indonesia. However, this collaborative effort could create new opportunities for APS to become self-sufficient.
"It remains our shared responsibility to support APS (professional development program) graduates so they have the necessary skills for employment and entrepreneurship. The implementation of PKK and PKW programs at various LKP (labor training institutions) must consider local potential so that graduates can be absorbed into the workforce and start sustainable businesses," Purwanto stated.
Meanwhile, Sulaeha, Head of LKP Dwi Tunggal, stated that 14 vocational school dropouts will be trained at her institution. The participants are from APS (Vocational Vocational High School) students in the Subang area of West Java.
"They mostly dropped out of school due to economic reasons, laziness, or juvenile delinquency. They are very enthusiastic about this program," said Sulaeha.
LKP Dwi Tunggal, located in Kasomalang Village, Kasomalang District, Subang Regency, West Java, will train these school dropouts with fashion design skills.
Nabila Aditya, one of the participants, hopes this program will change her life. After dropping out of Riyadhul Jannah Vocational School in Subang, Nabila was forced to work as a casual laborer due to the difficulty of finding work to support her grandmother and two younger siblings.
"This is like continuing my dream. I studied Fashion Design at a vocational school, but I never participated in the practicals because I couldn't afford it. With this program, I hope to open my own sewing business at home, just like I once dreamed of," said Nabila, who dropped out of school in 2023.
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