Jakarta. The government has recently launched the SMK Go Global Program as Indonesia seeks to deploy hundreds of thousands of competent Indonesian migrant workers who can meet the global market demand.

The program aims to produce 500,000 high school and vocational high school (SMK) graduates who are ready to work abroad, particularly in the formal sector. To kick things off, the government sent off 1,035 skilled Indonesian migrant workers during the program's launch ceremony earlier this month.

"This is part of our efforts to achieve that 500,000 target," Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar said at the time.

Muhaimin said that the government would send more migrant workers in the future. President Prabowo Subianto has also instructed the cabinet to improve the quality and the protection of Indonesian workers abroad. This calls for stronger collaboration, particularly with the Migrant Worker Protection Ministry and vocational education institutions.

"We will fully support the steps taken by the Migrant Worker Protection Ministry and educational institutions. This way, we hope we can make sure that the migrant workers we send truly meet global standards, earn a decent income, and are protected," Muhaimin said.

Migrant Worker Protection Minister Mukhtarudin described improving the quality of human capital as an integral part of the SMK Go Global initiative. He acknowledged the need to bolster vocational training relevant to the needs of the international job market. According to Mukhtarudin, the government's push for vocational education transformation is aimed at ensuring that high school and vocational school graduates possess the skills, competencies, and job readiness that align with the demands of their destination countries.

"The 500,000 target is entirely for the professional sector. All will go through vocational training, develop their skills and competencies, and be placed in appropriate sectors and countries. So, there's a perfect match between training, competency, and placement," Mukhtarudin said.