SEMARANG – As many as 1,736 students of Vocational School of Diponegoro University (UNDIP) underwent Industrial Internships facilitated by fund of Directorate of Vocational and Professional Higher Education (Pendidikan Tinggi Vokasi dan Profesi / PTVP) 2020, Directorate General of Vocational Education, Ministry of Education and Culture. Meanwhile in the same period, three Undip Vocational School students received assistance for entrepreneurship internships.
The Directorate General of Vocational Education through the Directorate of Vocational and Professional Higher Education (PTVP) is known to have a Vocational Student Internships Facilitation Program. This program is one of the compulsory programs for learning for vocational students, and is one of the forms of Free Learning and Independent Campus policies.
Apart from facilitating internship programs or practical work in industry, business, and the world of work; The Directorate of Vocational and Professional Higher Education also facilitates internship for teaching industry at other state polytechnics, as well as entrepreneurship internships. In 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic conditions, Undip Vocational School did not do an internship for the teaching industry at polytechnics in other countries.
Dean of Undip Vocational School, Prof. Dr. Ir. Budiyono, M.Si, said that Undip Vocational School continues to actively encourage its students to participate in programs managed by Directorate of Vocational and Professional Higher Education of the Ministry of Education and Culture. This program is very helpful in connecting link and match, as well as providing a very useful experience for students. For internships in 2021, registration is closed on April 21st 2021. “We continue to encourage the students as much as possible since there are many benefit from the internship programs,” said Budiyono, on Tuesday (20/4/2021).
According to him, from last year experience, the program ran smoothly and provided the provisions needed to enter the world of work. He also advised his students to take advantage of the internship to improve soft skills. “We also aim to take advantage of this momentum to obtain competency certification,” he said.
Deputy Dean I of Undip Vocational School, Dr. Ida Hayu Dwimawanti, MM, admitted that she continue to monitor the progress of internship registration facilitated by the Directorate General of Vocational Education. The Dean also helps to check the completeness of administration, and ensures that Undip Vocational School students who register have completed the requirements.
“Indeed, the priority is for underprivileged students. However, in a pandemic condition like now, there are students who are able to become incapacitated,” said Ida Hayu.
Apart from the internship program, vocational higher education providers also encourage students in need to obtain assistance from competency and professional certification programs. Even though vocational school graduates already have an equivalent level of Indonesian National Qualification Framework (Kerangka Kualifikasi Nasional Indonesia / KKNI) according to their level, competency certification is still important to be obtained.
The government through the Directorate General of Vocational Education has prepared competency certification assistance for 12,000 students, for the period of March – November 2021. This certification program is focused on the fields of machinery, construction, creative economy, tourism, service industry, as well as other supporting fields. (PR team)
Translated by: Titis (Public Relations)
