Jakarta – On December 15th , 2020, the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud) through the Directorate General of Vocational Education (Ditjen Diksi) launched two programs, namely the Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan (SMK) Program – Fast Track Diploma Two (D2) and the Diploma Three (D3) Study Program Improvement Program to become Bachelor of Applied (Diploma Four-D4). This program is a breakthrough to maximize the absorption of vocational graduates into the Industrial World Business World (DUDI).

Minister of Education and Culture (Mendikbud), Mr. Nadiem Anwar Makarim welcomed these two programs. “Through this program, students are free to choose to graduate at the end of their third year or continue on to the Fast Track Diploma Two. Through the Improvement of Diploma Three to Applied Bachelor (Diploma Empat-D4) programs, students have the opportunity to add one year to gain deeper skills so that they have the opportunity to get a better job, “he said. In line with the Minister of Education and Culture, the Director General of Vocational Education, Wikan Sakarinto explained two things that underlie the emergence of these two programs, namely Merdeka Learning to provide education in accordance with the wishes and talents of vocational students in the future, and encourage the realization of a continuous program (link and super-match) between the world of education and the world of industry.

Source: www.kemendikbud.go.id

The SMK-D2 Fast Track Program is a realization of a continuous scheme of education and DUDI. “The scheme is that students take six semesters at SMK and three semesters to become students at the higher education level. So, there will be more experience working in the industry, “explained Wikan Sakarinto. Meanwhile, the program scheme for the Improvement of the Diploma Three (D3) Study Program to an Applied Bachelor (Diploma Four-D4) is by means of PTV being able to apply for an increase in the study program provided that they already have or involve DUDI partners in the D4 program. Both the Fast Track SMK-D2 program and the Improvement of the D3 Study Program to an applied bachelor must implement the concept of the Merdeka Learning and Independent Campus curriculum. This curriculum must also be compiled with industry and prospective graduate users, with a minimum application of an internship at DUDI for a minimum of one semester and a work practice-based learning scheme (project based learning).