TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Industry Ministry is currently developing a furniture and wood processing industry polytechnic in Kendal, Central Java. The institute will be offering the service for free and will open its inaugural class in early 2018.

“Five years of college will be free of charge, the students will even receive a scholarship,” said Industry Ministry’s Head of Industrial Education and Training Mujiyono on Tuesday, October 10.

The polytechnic offers studies on furniture production technique, furniture design, and furniture business management.

Read: Ministry Boosts Furniture Craft Industry Sector

The school building will be constructed on a 4,800 square meter land and will feature facilities such as classrooms, workshops, a showroom, and a laboratory for testing. “Hopefully, by having this polytechnic, the domestic furniture industry will become globally competitive and will expand the export market,” said Mujiyono.

Other than providing a vocational academic service, it is also aimed at producing "ready-for-work" graduates. It is also designed to become the center for technological innovation and the development ground for domestic furniture industry products.

The Ministry of Industry recorded 101,346 employment rate at the furniture industry in 2016 and is projected to increase to 202,692 graduates in 2018. The furniture industry is considered to be an export-oriented labor-intensive sector that has a significant contribution to the national economy.

CAESAR AKBAR