Minister pushes workforce preparation to seize green job opportunities

 Indonesia's Manpower Minister Yassierli has called for immediate action to prepare workforce competencies for green jobs, with 5.3 to 9 million new jobs projected to be created over the next five to ten years.

Yassierli said the preparations must encompass job-ready skills, curricula, instructors, facilities, certification, and professional recognition.

"We must seize this opportunity and prepare early, because the spirit of the energy transition itself is to ensure that no one is left behind," he said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.

While green jobs offer big opportunities, he noted, the next challenge that Indonesia must tackle is turning the green jobs roadmap into concrete action.

"Green jobs are a priority not just for Indonesia, but also for countries around the world. We have had extensive discussions on a dedicated roadmap for green jobs," Yassierli said.

The Ministry of Manpower, he added, is laying the necessary foundation to support green skills, ranging from training centers to industry recognition.

The efforts require extraordinary cooperation, he said, noting that opportunities must be prepared early in line with the spirit of an inclusive energy transition.

Through its 2026 Employment Outlook, the Ministry of Manpower projected the potential number of green jobs in Indonesia could reach 3.88 million in 2026.

In a separate statement, Head of Labor Planning and Development Agency at the Ministry, Anwar Sanusi, said the opportunities stem from expanding natural resource downstreaming policies, renewable energy growth, the circular economy, transport electrification, and industrial modernisation.

"Job opportunities created by downstreaming and the green economy must be matched by a workforce with industry-relevant skills. Therefore, skills development is crucial," Anwar said.