Indonesia
English
Politeknik Negeri Ketapang (Ketapang State Polytechnic) (Ketapang State Polytechnic, POLITAP) has been selected as one of the polytechnics serving as a Pilot Project for the implementation of the SMK-DII Fast Track collaborative program. This activity is one of the flagship programs of the Directorate General of Vocational Education to enhance link and match through collaboration among polytechnics, vocational high schools (SMK), and the industrial and business world (IDUKA). This program is a partnership to establish collaborative SMK-DII classes that can be completed over 4 years under a scheme of 2.5 years at SMK and 1.5 years at the polytechnic and industry, with graduates receiving an SMK diploma, a Diploma II (DII) degree from the polytechnic, and a competency certificate from industry or an industry-recognized Professional Certification Agency.
Located at the Politap Directorate Building on Wednesday, 11 November 2020, a Joint Commitment was signed between Politeknik Negeri Ketapang, SMKN 2 Ketapang, and SMKN 1 Muara Pawan Ketapang, along with industry partners PT Kayong Agro Lestari (KAL) ANJ Group, PT Sinar Mas Ketapang, and PT Hutan Ketapang Industri – Sampoerna Group to initiate the opening of the Oil Palm Cultivation DII Study Program. In his opening remarks, Director of Politeknik Negeri Ketapang Endang Kusmana stated that the opening of this Fast Track class is one of the 'Politap Building Vocational Education from Villages' programs, namely Synergy Villages, by synergizing the potential of prospective students from villages around the industry to study at SMKN 2 Ketapang or SMKN 1 Muara Pawan and Politap, followed by internships and employment in the industry so that villagers with strong potential can work in those companies.
Meanwhile, industry representatives from PT KAL, PT Sinar Mas, and PT HKI Sampoerna Group stated that this program strengthens the partnership that has been carried out with Politeknik Negeri Ketapang, which includes curriculum development, student internships, and graduate recruitment. The industry welcomed the inclusion of prospective students from villages surrounding the industries as a form of social responsibility toward local communities, and hoped that the industry would obtain skilled and loyal human resources from nearby villages to enhance industrial productivity.
Separately, the Principal of SMKN 2 Ketapang, Erini, stated that the initiation of the SMK-D2 Fast Track program had been pioneered by Politap and SMKN 2 since 25 June 2020 when the Director of Politap visited SMKN 2, followed by a visit from SMKN 2 to Politap on 6 August 2020 to discuss the work program for curriculum development. Her institution welcomed this program as a form of vocational education collaboration to improve the quality of human resources in Ketapang. Meanwhile, the Principal of SMKN 1 Muara Pawan, Anggoro Suwarno, stated that his institution had conducted preliminary discussions regarding the establishment of the Fast Track program on 21 October 2020 at Politap and warmly welcomed this collaboration to improve the quality of human resources in Ketapang by optimizing the resources available at each vocational institution.
Politeknik Negeri Ketapang, SMKN 2 Ketapang, SMKN 1 Muara Pawan Ketapang, and relevant industries will soon hold a Working Team Focus Group Discussion to prepare the curriculum and partnership scheme for this SMK-DII Fast Track Program, ensuring that the collaboration improves link-and-match quality in supporting the supply of superior talent toward Advanced Indonesia.