INDUSTRY.co.id - Jakarta - The official "SMK outcast" stigma is broken. The Ministry of Industry proves that industrial vocational education is able to produce graduates who are directly attacked by world-class companies, both nationally and internationally.
The evidence is real and gives me goosebumps. Jeihza Malik, a graduate of the Kendal Furniture and Wood Processing Industry Polytechnic or Polifurneka, now works at the Hungarian Mono Group Sanding Department. Amazingly, he already got a contract before the graduation hat touched his head.
"I got a job in a European industrial area before graduating. It was an experience I never imagined. All because of learning theory, practice, discipline, and interaction with industry practitioners while in Polifurneka," said Jeihza, Wednesday 10/6.
From Bandung to the General Manager's Seat
Another success story came from Pipit Fitriyani, a graduate of the Bandung Textile Technology College Polytechnic or STTT Bandung. He now serves as General Manager at PT TESTEX Testing and Certification.
"I only realized after work that vocational knowledge is very applicable. We not only get theory, but direct practice. So really ready to enter the world of work," said Pipit.
Even SMK graduates have international lines. Muhammad Daffa Kayana, a graduate ofSMK-SMAKPadang 2025 majoring in Chemical Analysis, was successfully accepted at Nanjing Tech University, China. Previously, he practiced fieldwork at Paragon Technology and Innovation.
5,472 Graduates, 82,800 Scramble Registrants
Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita emphasized that the development of SDM industry is a strategic investment to strengthen national manufacturing competitiveness.
"All industrial vocational education institutions of the Ministry of Industry are prepared with specific specialties and competencies in order to produce graduates with knowledge, skills, and strong industrial character so that they are able to compete globally," said Minister of Industry.
Data from the Ministry of Industry recorded that throughout 2025 the industrial vocational unit graduated 5,472 competent workers from 11 polytechnics, 2 community academies, and 9 SMK throughout Indonesia. The majority are absorbed by the working world for a maximum of 6 months after graduation.
Head of the BPSDMI Industrial Human Resources Development Agency Doddy Rahadi called this proof of the link and match system running.
"The Ministry of Industry's vocational education is in accordance with the needs of the industry, so graduates are competent and ready to work. That's why many companies pursue their graduates, not the other way around," said Doddy.
Public trust is also high. The JARVIS 2025 Industrial Vocational Reception Line Program recorded 82,800 applicants for polytechnics and community academies, as well as 28,800 applicants for the Ministry of Industry's SMK.
Toll Road to Work & Study Abroad
This success shows that the Ministry of Industry's vocation is not a dead end. Graduates have 2 options: go directly to work with a competitive salary, or continue their undergraduate studies abroad like Daffa.
