Hundreds benefit from Indonesian apprenticeships
- 520 apprentices in Indonesia undertaking 5-year programs to Australian Standards
- Thiess invests US$1.9 million a year to in the heavy duty mechanics, auto electricians and welding and fabrication trainees
- In 2008, the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration even recognised the program as the best apprenticeship offering in Indonesia
Thiess Indonesia’s apprenticeship program was established in 1992 with just eight participants.
Today, almost 520 candidates are enrolled in the course, which has been recognised as the best apprenticeship offering in Indonesia. Training Manager Seskoadi says Thiess Indonesia invests a massive US$1.9 million each year in the off-job program, which adopts Australian standards of apprenticeship programs and is certified by the Central Queensland Institute of TAFE.
“It runs for approximately five years and apprentices can choose to train either as heavy duty mechanics, auto electricians, or in welding and fabrication,” Mr Seskoadi says.
Each apprentice is given a fixed salary, overtime pay, transport allowance, life insurance and accommodation for the length of the program, and the two best apprentices of each group are sent to Australia for further on-the-job training.
During each semester, apprentices go through five weeks of intensive training at the Training and Development Centre at Thiess Indonesia’s training and development centre at Balikpapan. This is followed by 16 weeks’ tenure onsite and then by two weeks’ leave.
“This may seem like any other apprenticeship program in Australia,” says Mr Seskoadi. “But here in Indonesia, such a program was unheard of when it was established.”
The program has received recognition and awards from the local community and regional government. In 2008, the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration even recognised the program as the best apprenticeship offering in Indonesia.
