Wednesday, 30 September 2026
JAKARTA | INDATANEWS.COM- Indonesia's vocational education talents won nine awards across 17 skill areas at the WorldSkills Competition (WSC) Shanghai 2026. The achievement placed Indonesia 19th among 49 participating countries and regions in the world's premier competition for vocational skills.
The Indonesian delegation returned with one silver medal, two bronze medals and six Medal for Excellence awards. The results demonstrate the ability of Indonesian competitors to compete with vocational talents from various countries while highlighting the capabilities of young Indonesian workers in meeting global industry standards.Indonesia's silver medal was won by Edsel Parama Mustapa in Software Applications Development. The two bronze medals went to Fatima Rani Al Husna Prameswara in Restaurant Service and Rash Asyari Amyris Thalib in IT Network Systems Administration.
In addition to the three medals, Indonesia secured six Medal for Excellence awards. The recipients were Novanda Putra Widya Ardhi in Electronics, Andi Ahmad Yusup in Web Technologies, and Galang Zaki Arkana in Industrial Control.
Two other Indonesian competitors, Reno Surya Permana and Rouf Aufa Rifqi, also received Medal for Excellence awards in Mechatronics. Another award went to Togar Andreas Silaban in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, while Eka Anwar Fauzi was recognized in Automobile Technology.Special Adviser to the Minister of Manpower Sukro Muhab said Indonesia's participation in the WSC provided vocational talents with an opportunity to demonstrate their skills directly in an international competition.
"Our vocational talents competed against participants from various countries and were required to meet work standards and assessment criteria applied at the international level," Sukro said on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, in a statement issued by the Press and Public Relations Bureau of the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower (Kemnaker).According to Sukro, the experience not only allowed participants to demonstrate their abilities but also provided an overview of changing competency requirements in the international labor market. The competition also exposed participants to technological standards, high levels of precision and continuously evolving expectations for work quality.
The 48th WSC was held from September 22 to 27, 2026, in Shanghai, People's Republic of China. More than 1,400 participants from various countries and regions took part in the competition, which brought together young talents with vocational skills across numerous fields.
Indonesia sent 20 participants to the competition, competing in 17 skill areas. However, the participants did not travel directly to the competition venue. They first underwent a series of selection and training programs aimed at improving both their technical skills and their readiness to meet international competition standards.
The training programs were conducted at several Training Centers at vocational training centers and educational institutions. One of the training locations was the Bekasi Vocational Training and Productivity Center (BBPVP Bekasi), where participants in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning and Electronics were prepared for the competition.Through the Directorate General of Vocational Training and Productivity Development (Binalavotas), the Ministry of Manpower supported the preparation of the Indonesian delegation in cooperation with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, industry partners and educational institutions.
The collaboration is part of efforts to strengthen the preparation of vocational talents and ensure that their competencies meet the needs of businesses and industry. The training also aimed to prepare participants to perform at a high level of precision and quality in line with international standards.Sukro described the Indonesian delegation's experience at WSC Shanghai 2026 as valuable input for improving vocational education and training in the country. The various requirements highlighted during the competition could serve as a basis for developing training programs that are more closely aligned with industrial developments.
He said the key areas included competencies, technological knowledge, precision and the quality of work results. The participants' experiences in the international competition could also provide insights into potential gaps between industry competency requirements and existing training programs.
Based on the experience gained at WSC Shanghai 2026, the government plans to incorporate various Test Projects and competition assessment criteria into the development of Indonesia's National Work Competency Standards (SKKNI).
The move is intended to strengthen competency standards for Indonesian workers and align them more closely with technological developments and industry requirements. Lessons from the competition will also serve as a reference for improving practical training and learning infrastructure.In addition to updating competency standards, Kemnaker will modernize workshop equipment at BBPVP and BPVP facilities as well as vocational schools. The effort is intended to create learning environments that more closely reflect the actual conditions and requirements of the industrial workplace.
Sukro said Kemnaker would also prepare Indonesia's participation in the next WSC earlier and more comprehensively. The preparation will be carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.The national selection process is expected to take place one year before the competition. The longer preparation period is intended to enable more structured identification of suitable talents, training, technical skills development and adaptation to international competition standards.
The Minister of Manpower also plans to coordinate WSC preparations not only through Training Centers but also through the Talent Innovation Hub (TIH). The integration is expected to expand opportunities for talent development while strengthening continuous preparation for participants ahead of international competitions.The nine awards won in Shanghai are part of the development of Indonesian vocational talents at the international level. At the same time, the experience provides important insights for the government to strengthen the training system, update competency standards, improve practical facilities and prepare participants earlier for international competitions.
Indonesia's participation in the WSC therefore serves purposes beyond winning medals and awards. The competition provides an opportunity to measure the capabilities of Indonesian vocational talents against global standards for professional skills and to gain insights that can contribute to the continued development of vocational education and training in the country. (IDNC)REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
/home/u7391150/public_html/indatanews.com/theme/function.php on line 28
