The Jakarta Government continues to show partiality to its residents' welfare, especially in expanding job opportunities through skill development, creating business opportunities, and employment inisiatives.

"We must realize that the unemployed figure, which is 338,000, i s our main concern,"

These programs are designed to follow up residents' complaints related to the difficulty of getting a job, the high rate of layoffs, and burdensome work requirements.

Jakarta Manpower, Transmigration, and Energy (Nakertransgi) Agency Head, Hari Nugroho conveyed the latest employment structure in Jakarta based on Jakarta BPS Official Statistic Agency's data that recorded the Working Age Population in Jakarta for August 2024 period increased by 42,000 people to 8.36 million people compared to August 2023. The work force on working age population reached 5.44 million people, while the rest of 2.92 million people were not the work force.

The composition of Jakarta's work force in August 2024 consisted of 5.11 million working people and 338,000 unemployed people. When compared to August 2023, the number of work force increased by 18,000 people, working people increased by 35,000 people, while unemployed people decreased by almost 17,000 people.

Despite the decline in unemployment, the open unemployment rate (TPT) in Jakarta is still wuite high, reaching 6.21 percent in August 2024 (338,000 people). This figure is still above the national average, signaling the need for further efforts from the local government. Therefore, Hari emphasized the importance of focusing on remaining unemployed groups.

"We must realize that the unemployed figure, which is 338,000, is our main concern . We must find effective solutions to address this problem," he uttered, Friday (2/28).

One of the strategic steps taken by Jakarta Nakertransgi Agency to overcome the unemployment is by holding job fairs to provide information on domestic and foreign job opportunities to reduce the number of unemployed people.

This step is part of Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung's 100-day work program that focuses on concrete solutions in the employment sector. Unlike before, this time the job fair will be held more massively with a cluster system.

From a total of 44 sub-districts in Jakarta, the local govenment will combine several sub-districts into one cluster to hold a large-scale job fair. Every month, 2-3 job fairs will be held in five administrative cities.

"For example, three sub-districts in East Jakarta, such as Jatinegara, Matraman, and Pulogadung will be combined in one cluster, thus job seekers from these areas can access more opportunities in one strategic locations. Other clusters, such as Cakung, Pondok Kelapa, and Duren Sawit will also be held alternately," he explained.

Hari mentioned that the program will be held continuously. In each job fair, thousands of job vacancies will remain open for various sectors. He is optimistic that this new method can be an effective solution to reduce unemployment in Jakarta.

"If all positions can be filled, at least half of the unemployed people in Jakarta can be absorbed. If this job fair is held consistently every two weeks, I am sure the number of remaining unemployed can be reduced significantly," he said.

The next step to reduce unemployment is to prepare competency-based training for residents offered through Regular Training at Regional Job Training Centers (PPKD) and Job Training via Mobile Training Units (MTU).

He encouraged Jakarta residents interested in job training to visit their local PPKD. For those with transportation challenges, MTU brings training directly to their locations, especially at the urban village level, whith the goal of enhancing residents' skills and expanding job opportunities.

In 2025, 52 MTUs have been prepared to reach the community, consisting of MTU Computer Engineering, MTU Graphic Design, MTU Fashion Design, MTU Makeup, MTU Culinary Arts, MTU Motorbike, MTU Refrigeration, and MTU Electric Welding.

"Imagine, we will train people who are still unemployed in urban village, at RT/RW level, with special skills. The point is, we directly reach the community," he asserted.

Each training session at MTU involves around 10 participants from particular region. This regular training is scheduled in all urban villages in Jakarta, with focusing on areas that are classified as poor or difficult to reach the training facilities.

Through this program, participants will get practical training and official skills certificate from the National Professional Certification Agency (BNSP). This certificate is important for job seekers, because companies in Jakarta will find it easier to accept graduates who already have official certification.

Not only focusing on employment, this program also encourages Jakartans to become independent entrepreneurs. The training will help participants to develop useful skills to open their own business, so they can contribute to alleviating poverty while reducing unemployment.

"Moreover, the Jakarta Government has established MoUs with various companies in the hospitality sector, offices, and other industries. Once the people we train get a certificate, they can immediately be accepted to work in companies that need them," he stated.

With these programs, he added, the city shows its commitment in opening wider access for job seekers, providing real solutions in overcoming unemployment, while preparing a more competent work force that is ready to face global challenges, and designed to prepare work force who want to work abroad.

"Before leaving, we prepare them with special skiils, language, and other training thus when working abroad, the salary and work are as expected," he said.