The Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, and Social Inclusion, Julia Gillard today signed an Arrangement with H.E. Dr Erman Suparno, Minister of Manpower and Transmigration, Republic of Indonesia providing a framework for collaboration on portfolio matters.
The agreement aims to develop cooperation between the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration (MoMT) on training, labour and safety net arrangements for employees.
Indonesia is an important and long-standing regional friend and partner of Australia.
The Arrangement which sits under the framework of the Australia-Indonesia Ministerial Forum is an important milestone in the broadening of our bilateral relationship.
It builds on our ever increasing government to government, institution to institution and people to people links bringing our two societies closer together.
The central government in Indonesia is currently trying to improve the quality of the labour force through the vocational training system it has established.
Under the Arrangement, the two countries have agreed to establish projects that will assist in improving the knowledge and skills of personnel involved with the management and running of Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) within Indonesia.
The collaboration projects will include exchange of information on program and systems, development of collaborative training, technical support concerning research and development, assistance with planning and implementation of program and projects.
His Excellency, Dr Erman Suparno has led a six person Indonesian delegation to Australia in order to sign the Arrangement.
The delegation will visit Australian vocational education and training facilities in Canberra and the Centrelink Concept Centre following the signing.
The Australian Government is investing in vocational education and training infrastructure for the future as well as apprenticeships and training opportunities particularly for those Australians who find themselves out of work during these difficult economic times.