PORTALJABAR, DISTRICT. GARUT - The Regent of Garut, Rudy Gunawan, officially graduated and released the Japanese Language Specific Skilled Worker (SSW) training participants at the Garut Pendopo Building, at the same time as the opening of the Gentra Karya Job Fair 4.0 (27/12/2023).

This event is part of the 2023 Garut Festival which will take place from 27 to 28 December 2023.

In his speech, the Regent of Garut emphasized the importance of competency training for youth, especially in facing employment challenges and economic limitations.

This training aims to equip participants with special skills for working in Japan.

Rudy said that when a student graduates from school but the family's economic conditions are limited, usually the parents will be confused, while being unemployed is an unpleasant thing for the child.

So, he came up with the idea to provide training to children in Garut Regency, so that they have the competencies and skills specifically to work in Japan.

"This is my idea, my personal idea, even though yesterday (was) highlighted because "this is why this is why", don't be afraid, I am responsible as the general person in charge of regional finances, as long as we comply with the rules, don't do things that are mens rea ( evil conspiracy), we don't need to be afraid," said the Regent of Garut.

A total of 42 young men and women from 42 sub-districts in Garut Regency took part in this training.

They were selected based on inadequate skills and economic conditions. The Regent expressed his hope that this program can continue and provide opportunities for more youth in Garut Regency.

The Regent's pride also strengthened when one of the training participants gave a testimonial in fluent Japanese, indicating the success of the training program.

"I want the entire Garut Regency to accept hopes like that, our APBD is sufficient, in fact we (have questions) about how this will eradicate poverty," he said.

Rudy hopes that this training program can continue with participants from one village to one person, although this is difficult to realize due to the financial limitations of the Garut District Government, he asked the relevant agencies to continue the training program.

Head of the Garut Regency Manpower and Transmigration Service, Erna Sugiarti, explained that the Japanese Language and Culture training was held to prepare Garut's human resources to be competent in work placement programs in Japan. Participants have taken part in intensive training at the Technical Implementation Unit (UPT) Garut Job Training Center (BLK) for 6 months, from 1 May to 4 November 2023.

Erna revealed, through boarding training, 42 participants had passed the SSW Agricultural Competency Test, 21 of whom had passed the Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese (JFT) A2 Basic.

Seven participants have been accepted by Japanese companies and are ready to go, while the rest are waiting for interviews with other companies.

"Furthermore, interviews will be carried out in stages according to job orders or other company needs," he explained.

Regarding the Gentra Karya Job Fair 4.0 2023, added Erna, 20 companies participated and offered 11,702 job vacancies, both domestic and foreign.

At this event, the Regent of Garut also gave awards to 11 Vocational Schools in Garut Regency which have successfully held job fairs and collaborated with Gentra Karya in 2023. These Vocational Schools have succeeded in absorbing thousands of workers through their Special Job Fair (BKK).

The 11 schools that received the award:
1. Al-Ghifari Banyuresmi Vocational School
2. Daarul Abror Cibiuk IT Vocational School
3. Vocational School Plus Qurrota A'yun
4. Vocational School 1 Garut
5. Vocational School 2 Garut
6. Vocational School 3 Garut
7. Vocational School 4 Garut
8. Vocational School 5 Garut
9. Vocational School 7 Garut
10. Vocational School 9 Garut
11. Vocational School 14 Garut

It is hoped that this activity will open up more opportunities for Garut youth to have a career and compete on the global stage.