Indonesia Ministry of Manpower launches disability vocational training

Indonesia's Ministry of Manpower is establishing a specialized Vocational Training Center (BLK) in Bekasi, West Java, to enhance the employability of persons with disabilities. Minister of Manpower Yassierli stated that training must align with individual abilities and the specific needs of the business world to ensure participants are not merely absorbed by companies but provide actual value.

The two-story facility is designed with high accessibility, featuring ramps, lifts, guiding blocks, and specialized toilets. Training programs will include technical skills, character building, and digital proficiency, such as AI-based programming. The center also includes practical learning labs like a barista training café, a public speaking lab, and a digital skills lab.

Yassierli emphasized that recruitment should be based on competence rather than sympathy. Under Law Number 8 of 2016, private companies are required to employ at least 1 percent persons with disabilities, while government agencies and state-owned enterprises must meet a 2 percent quota. The Ministry aims to foster inclusive environments free from bullying and exclusion to support sustainable employment.