Indonesia opens SMK Go Global to send 40,000 workers overseas

The vocational initiative is aimed at providing talented Indonesians who possess specific technical skills with opportunities to work abroad. SMK (Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan) refers to Indonesia's vocational high school system. "Registration will begin on August 12, and information is currently being disseminated by our service centers (Migrant Worker Protection Service Centers/BP3MI) across 23 provinces," Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Minister Mukhtarudin stated during a press conference here on Wednesday. He noted that the program is designed to prepare skilled workers for various priority sectors, including caregiving, nursing, manufacturing, construction, welding, hospitality, transportation, and agriculture. Participants will be prepared to fill job vacancies in Japan, Germany, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Turkey, Poland, the Maldives, and several other European countries, depending on global labor market demand. Mukhtarudin affirmed that the government has secured employment opportunities in these destination countries, ensuring that participants receive training tailored to each country's specific requirements. "We are profiling destination countries based on job orders that have been verified by our representatives abroad. The demand is already there. Based on these verified requests, we determine the required competencies and tailor our training accordingly," he explained. Because 2026 is already in its second half, this year's program will serve as a "quick-win" initiative focusing on upskilling participants through language training, technical instruction, and professional certification. Applicants must already possess at least one specific skill required by the destination country to participate this year. For example, a participant with welding skills but without foreign language proficiency or formal certification will receive government-supported language training and certification. "Because this is a quick-win program, we are starting with upskilling. Therefore, we are not starting from scratch," Mukhtarudin said. Beginning in 2027, the "SMK Go Global" program will be expanded to accommodate participants without prior technical skills, as the training period will be significantly longer. Next year's program is expected to begin in January, with the comprehensive training and certification process taking approximately six to seven months. "With a longer timeframe, language training will take about three months, technical skills training will take one to two months, and certification will take around one to two days," Mukhtarudin added. Related news: Migrant worker ministry works with 11 ministries on SMK Go Global Translator: Uyu Septiyati Liman Editor: M Razi Rahman Copyright © ANTARA 2026