During his recent visit to Papua, Indonesian Vice President Ma’ruf Amin toured PT Freeport Indonesia’s Nemangkawi Mining Institute, coming away impressed with how the company’s vocational programs are providing Papuan youth the skills they need to help them excel in the workplace.
“We went to visit Nemangkawi training center earlier, an excellent facility that teaches young Papuans to enhance their skill set to become workforce ready,” Amin said. “It’s amazing to see 15 different vocational programs that are not only specifically designed to fulfill Freeport talent requirements but also helpful if the graduates choose to work outside Freeport. I highly appreciate the private sector’s role in enhancing Papuan talents, capabilities and qualifications.”
In efforts to revitalize the country’s education curriculum, the Indonesian government has adopted various strategies, Amin said. These include promoting education transformation and increasing the number of vocational training programs, so the curriculum would not only focus on theory, but also strengthen the practical skills that would be beneficial in the real world.
“We need to enforce the link and match between education institutions and the industry, as well as transforming vocational centers by partnering with stakeholders that provide education and vocational programs,” Amin said.
This work aligns with PTFI’s goal of NMI helping Papuans prepare to enter and succeed in the workforce. PTFI has established various education programs focused on developing Papuans since 1996, said Tony Wenas, PTFI President Director. This effort has helped increase the number of Papuan workers, now comprising more than 40 percent of the workforce.
The company established NMI in 2003 as a vocational facility to train and prepare Papuans to fulfill the industry’s skilled workforce requirements. Today, it maintains 15 vocational programs and three administration programs. Ninety percent of the students are Papuans, and to date, NMI has graduated more than 4,000, of which 2,500 are working at the company.
“We are determined to continue to provide opportunities for Papuan youth to thrive in a workplace, not only at PTFI but also in any opportunities available outside the company,” Wenas said.