TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi says his administration will roll out the Pre-employment Card in 2020 to improve skills of young people, job seekers, and those who want to convert jobs.

“They can choose the course type they are interested in, from coding, data analytics, graphic design, accounting, foreign languages, barista, agribusiness, to heavy equipment operators,” said the President during his speech on the 2020 draft state budget at the DPR/MPR building, Jakarta, Friday, August 16.

According to him, after fulfilling the 12-year compulsory education, the government considers the need for providing broader access to children from low-income families so they can resume their education to a higher level.

“Only through better education can we eradicate poverty between generations,” the President remarked.

Therefore, the government also expands the scholarship program for 818,000 college students from low-income families. The scholarships will be given to those who have academic achievement through the Indonesian Smart Card (KIP) for University Students, including those who have previously obtained Bidikmisi scholarship program.

As for the budget of the program, Jokowi pledged Rp10.3 trillion during his presidential election campaigns.

Previously, the Finance Ministry’s Fiscal Policy Agency head, Suahasil Nazara, explained the program was set as a social safety net. “So those who have passed high school and are willing to get a job but lack qualifications and experience can join the pre-employment training. They are high school graduates with certain skills,” said Suahasil, Friday, July 19.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO