Indonesia, Japan's Yamaguchi Sign Agreement to Strengthen Technical Intern Training
JAKARTA, Aug. 28 (Indolin) — Indonesia and Japan's Yamaguchi Prefecture have signed an agreement to strengthen the recruitment and protection of Indonesian technical trainees in Japan, Indonesia's Manpower Ministry said.
The Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) was signed in Yamaguchi on Thursday (Aug. 27), covering technical training, information sharing and measures to address problems faced by Indonesian trainees during their placement in Japan.
Cris Kuntadi, secretary-general of Indonesia's Manpower Ministry, said the agreement was also intended to support trainees' career development and their ability to become economically independent after returning to Indonesia.
"Japan has experience, technology and a productivity culture that are valuable, while Indonesia has potential human resources ready to contribute," Cris said in a statement issued by the ministry.
The implementation of the agreement will be adjusted to Japan's evolving labour policies, including the planned Employment for Skill Development (ESDP) system, the ministry said.
Under the agreement, Indonesia will prepare prospective trainees with technical skills, Japanese-language abilities, work practices and an understanding of Japanese workplace culture, according to the ministry.
Indonesia also expects Yamaguchi authorities to support a safe working and social environment for Indonesian trainees in the prefecture.
Cris said the agreement would serve as a basis for translating cooperation on technical training into specific programmes for trainees and companies in both countries.
"The MoC is a starting point for more concrete implementation in developing Indonesian human resources through the Technical Intern Training Program," Cris said.
Japan has been reviewing its technical intern training framework as it moves toward a new system focused more explicitly on skills development and workforce needs.
Indonesia is one of the major sources of foreign workers for Japan, where demand for overseas labour has increased as the country faces demographic and labour shortages. (Janne Sinten)
