As the home of entrepreneurs and industry players, the Aceh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) supports efforts to strengthen the vocational partnership ecosystem in Aceh. To accelerate the implementation of vocational programmes, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) involving related parties was signed.

The MoU was signed by the Chairperson of the Consortium of Vocational Universities (PTV) of Aceh Province Politeknik Negeri Lhokseumawe together with Aceh Polytechnic, South Aceh Polytechnic, and West Aceh State Community Academy (AKN) with the Aceh Course and Training Institution Management Forum (PLKP Forum) and dozens of District / City Course and Training Institutions (LKP) in Aceh. The signing took place at the Penemas Takengon Hotel on Saturday (24/2/2024).

The MoU aims to build partnerships and synergies between PTV, LKP, and the World of Business and Industry (DUDI) in order to strengthen the partnership ecosystem and improve the quality of vocational education in Aceh.

Vice Chairman of Kadin Aceh for Vocational and Certification, Teuku Jailani, SE, in his speech reminded the importance of the MoU implementation and collaboration of all parties to strengthen the vocational partnership ecosystem in Aceh. And KADIN is present as a forum for business houses, representing DUDI through the link and match programme between the Vocational Education Unit and DUDI.

"The MoU must be implemented, not just become a sleeping MoU. Collaboration is not enough, but the ecosystem must also be strengthened. In this ecosystem, KADIN is present as a place for business houses, representing DUDI through the link and match programme," he said.

This collaboration is expected to produce competent and work-ready vocational graduates, and be able to encourage economic growth in Aceh.

Chairman of DPD PLKP Forum Aceh, Syahril Kiram, SE, welcomed this collaboration. It is hoped that this MoU can improve the quality and competitiveness of LKP graduates in Aceh. "I hope the MoU can be followed up in the form of future actions," he pleaded.

Sariyusda, MT, Team Leader of the Partnership Ecosystem Strengthening Programme for Innovation Development based on Regional Potential of Aceh Province on behalf of the Aceh PTV consortium, explained the purpose of the vocational partnership ecosystem strengthening programme in Aceh.

"Through the programme of strengthening the ecosystem of vocational partnerships in Aceh, workforce planning or manpower planning and innovation planning will be developed in order to produce a roadmap or policy brief from the Government of Aceh towards vocational education," he said.

According to Sariyusda, the MoU is to support Presidential Regulation No. 68 of 2022 on Revitalising Vocational Education and Vocational Training, as well as strengthening the Aceh Provincial Vocational Regional Coordination Team (TKDV) and TKDV in Districts/Cities in Aceh.

Prior to the signing of the MoU, the PTV Consortium organised a training on Partnership Capacity Building and Vocational Education Alignment. This training presented resource person Dr Indra Mawardi, ST. MT from the Team Member of the Partnership Ecosystem Strengthening Programme for Innovation Development based on Aceh Regional Potential from PNL.

In his presentation, he mentioned that strengthening the vocational ecosystem involves three main actors consisting of the Vocational Education Unit, Local Government, and DUDI. "The Vocational Education Unit plays a role in education and teaching, research and study, and community service.

Meanwhile, the local government plays a role in regulation, policy, and funding. And DUDI plays a role as users of vocational graduates and partners in curriculum development and training programmes," he explained.

Indra Mawardi explained the important role of the PTV Consortium in building a vocational ecosystem to support Aceh's investment focus including Infrastructure and Energy, Agroindustry, Tourism, and Aceh Investment Area Development.

The event which was guided by a well-known moderator Ir. Muhammad Hatta, SST. MT, Coordinator of Public Relations and Cooperation of PNL who is also the Chairperson of the Public Relations Forum of State Polytechnics throughout Indonesia was attended by 30 MoU Partners, Kadin Aceh, Head of PTV Aceh, DUDI, Head of the Aceh Tengah District Education Office Branch, Head of the Meriah District Education Office Branch, Head of Vocational Schools in Central Aceh and Bener Meriah Districts and the Aceh Regional Potential-based Innovation Development Partnership Ecosystem Strengthening Programme Team.