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SERANG, BANTEN — The Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO) in Banten, through the APINDO Daya Banten Foundation, has officially signed a cooperation agreement with the Mitra Industri Mandiri Foundation, which manages SMK Mitra Industri MM2100. The agreement marks an initial step toward establishing SMK Mitra Industri APINDO Daya Banten, aimed at developing industry-oriented vocational education tailored to the needs of businesses in Banten Province.

The agreement was signed during the Banten Investment Forum 2026 on Friday, October 9, 2026, in the presence of Banten Governor Andra Soni.

On the same occasion, Modern Cikande Industrial Estate donated two hectares of land to support plans to develop an industry-focused vocational school in Banten.

Najib Hanafi, Chairman of the APINDO Daya Banten Foundation and Secretary of APINDO Banten's Provincial Board (DPP), said the agreement represented a concrete step by the business community toward improving the quality of human resources, particularly in Banten Province.

He explained that the partnership aims to prepare vocational high school graduates with competencies aligned with companies' workforce requirements, thereby increasing employment opportunities and helping reduce unemployment in Banten.

"This program is expected to provide a solution to unemployment in Banten while improving human resource quality, particularly by ensuring that vocational high school graduates are work-ready and can be absorbed into industry," Najib said on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

Tomy Rachmatullah, Chairman of APINDO Banten's Provincial Board, explained that the agreement was intended to strengthen the link and match between education and industry while narrowing the competency gap between graduates' qualifications and companies' workforce needs.

"Vocational graduates must not only master technical skills but also demonstrate discipline, responsibility, a strong work ethic, and professionalism," he said.

According to Tomy, SMK Mitra Industri MM2100 was selected as a partner because of its 12 years of experience in delivering industry-based education. He said this experience was expected to serve as a benchmark for developing a vocational school with competency standards aligned with the needs of industries in Banten.

"The development of this program has also received support from the Banten Provincial Government and the Banten Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD). Collaboration among all stakeholders is essential to ensure that this partnership can be implemented sustainably," he added.

Tomy further explained that the two-hectare land donation from Modern Cikande Industrial Estate represented tangible support for the planned construction of the industry-oriented vocational school.

"The establishment of SMK Mitra Industri APINDO Daya Banten within the industrial estate is expected to facilitate coordination between educational activities and companies," he said.

He expressed hope that the vocational education model could be replicated in other industrial estates across Banten, bringing workforce requirements and educational programs into closer alignment.

Meanwhile, Kris R. Adidarma, Executive Chairman of APINDO Banten's Provincial Board, emphasized that APINDO's role extended beyond wage policy and industrial relations to include workforce preparation, the expansion of employment opportunities, and improvements in human resource competitiveness.

"The availability of a competent workforce is also considered a key factor in strengthening the region's investment appeal and driving local economic growth," he added.

Kris expressed hope that the signing of the cooperation agreement between the APINDO Daya Banten Foundation and SMK Mitra Industri MM2100, supported by the land donation from Modern Cikande Industrial Estate, would mark the beginning of stronger industry-based vocational education that delivers tangible benefits to the people of Banten.

Source: Tangerang Daily