PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Bandung City Government (Pemkot) is holding another Job Fair in 2025 as a concrete effort to reduce unemployment and expand employment opportunities for the community. The event will take place at Kiara Artha Park on November 19-20, 2025.

According to data from the Bandung City Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the unemployment rate will reach 7.4 percent by the end of 2024. The government continues its efforts to reduce it, including through the implementation of job fairs, which have proven effective.

At the job fair held in June 2025, 3,380 job seekers attended, and 1,443 (43 percent) were successfully placed. These figures demonstrate the effectiveness of job fairs as a bridge between job seekers and the business world.

The Head of the Bandung City Manpower Office, Andri Darusman, revealed that the Bandung City Government is targeting a reduction in the open unemployment rate to six percent.

"God willing, through various efforts we are undertaking with stakeholders, we want to continue to reduce unemployment rates and improve the quality of human resources in the city of Bandung," he said at Kiara Artha Park, Wednesday (11/19/2025).

This year's Job Fair attracted 42 companies from the trade and retail, manufacturing, financial and banking services, property, and other service sectors. A total of 10,278 positions were available.

Of this number, the Bandung City Government is targeting at least 50 percent or 5,139 people to be absorbed, both domestically and abroad.

The job fair is held online. Job seekers simply scan the barcode at the company booth to access and apply for vacancies directly.

Andri explained that this job fair has been connected to the Bandung City employment application, namely the New BIMMA (Bandung Integrated Manpower Management Application).

"The New BIMMA app provides 30 employment services, from Siap Kerja ID account registration, job training, placement facilitation, and industrial relations services. All can be accessed online," he explained.

New BIMMA can be accessed through disnaker.bandung.go.id, and can be used by both companies and job seekers to open or apply for vacancies easily and quickly.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Bandung City Council, Asep Mulyadi, assessed that the 2025 Job Fair was an important momentum to bring together the needs of the business world with job seekers.

"This job fair provides a meeting place for companies seeking superior talent and job seekers seeking jobs. Often, the two don't meet," he hoped.

He stressed the importance of adapting to changing job market needs.

"Don't just stick to old competencies. The world of work is changing, and so are company needs. Education and training must adapt to current trends," he added.

He also encouraged similar activities to be expanded to the regional level.

"Next year, I hope the job fair can be more accessible to the community, reaching sub-districts, schools, and expanding access to information. Many residents need jobs but don't have access to information," he said.

According to him, strengthening the world of work is closely related to economic stability.

"If the economy improves and companies stabilize, the number of layoffs will certainly decrease. On the other hand, vocational schools and educational institutions must prepare programs tailored to industry needs, including tourism, culinary arts, and hospitality, which are rapidly growing in Bandung," he said. (Bandung City Communications and Information Office/Rani)