Indonesia Paint Producer Association (APCI) Contribution For The First Paint Industry Specialist Vocational School In Southeast Asia

TIMESINDONESIA, JAKARTA – According to Frost & Sullivan, Indonesia is a country with a large paint and coatings industry market. Indonesia's growth and favorable investment climate are reflected in the investment realization in the second quarter of 2024, with Foreign Direct Investment rising 16.6% (Jakarta Investment Centre, 2024).

Meanwhile, paint consumption per capita stands at 4.2 kg, with a population of 284 million whose growth is stable at over 5%. This growth is due to development of the construction sector, furniture, and a growing population. Combined with technological developments, the growth of the paint industry creates a need for skilled workers in the production and application of paints and other coatings. 

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The quality of paints and coatings is greatly affected by the way they are applied. High-quality products might end up with disappointing results if they are not applied properly. Therefore, the paint industry can no longer focus only on paint production materials and machinery, it must be balanced with a well-equipped workforce with technical skills.

This transformation is not only to support efficiency and effectiveness, but also to ensure customer satisfaction as product quality is enhanced by a qualified labor. Thus, what is the right way to ensure that the paint industry never lacks skilled workers?

Vocational High School (SMK) Mitra Industri MM2100 moves forward to provide the first Paint Technology major in Southeast Asia. The SMK is a wellspring for many companies that require expert Paint Applicators and skilled Lab Technicians.

The provision of this department supports the growth of local and national industries, as well as improving the quality of products and processes in the paint industry sector. 

Paint Technology Department, Breakthrough SMK Mitra Industri MM2100

The Paint Technology major will focus on Paint Technology and Application Technology. More specifically, it will be divided into five clusters, among them Wet Paint Properties Testing, Dry Paint Films Testing, Paint Film Durability Testing, Paint Manufacturing and Application Technology, and Paint Product Design & Development.

These clusters will produce talents that are not only limited to paint companies, but also construction, automotive, and furniture companies that involve painting. Since the curriculum design is integrated with the Indonesian National Work Competency Standards (SKKNI), the possibility of graduates being employed in the industry is even greater. 

The Paint Technology curriculum is directly compiled by paint experts from the Indonesia Paint Manufacturers Association (APCI), so that it is truly in accordance with industry needs. One that has been actively involved is the founder of PT. MATARAM PAINT, producer of EMCO LUX, Indonesia’s proud wood and iron paint.

As a graduate of industrial and chemical engineering from Germany and a paint factory practitioner for decades, Freddy Pangkey Dipl.-Ing, also shared his knowledge and experience through the design of competencies and student learning stages. 

For example, the criteria for learning outcomes in the Wet Paint Properties Testing cluster is to be able to recognize the characteristics of paint forming materials, raw material combinations, dry film quality, or design calculations.

These aspects are exactly what is needed in a paint factory laboratory. Moreover, supported by practitioner lecturers who have years of experience in the industry, the level of readiness to enter the industrial workforce is certainly higher.

Five Painting Technology Department Clusters
 

Triple-helix Collaboration between Vocational School, Association, and Industries

The Paint Technology department was initiated by APCI. The initiative takes the form of fully donated a new building for paint technology and paint lab equipment. APCI is actively involved in providing infrastructure and curriculum development for SMK Mitra Industri MM2100. APCI members are also involved as internship partners and employers of graduates.

“This kind of collaboration is what is needed to reduce the gap between vocational education and industrial needs in Indonesia,” concluded Lia Sidik PhD, an expert in branding and education who has worked closely with various educational institutions and industries in Indonesia. 

The partnership between SMK Mitra Industri MM2100 and APCI is a model of vocational education that successfully bridges the gap between educational institutions and industry. The curriculum designed by the association follows the needs of the industry, thus successfully ensuring the sustainability of both parties.

Educational institutions can reach more students because they are proven to be able to produce graduates who are ready to work. Industry can continue to grow in the midst of global competition because it is supported by skilled workers. Thus, a sustainable ecosystem of vocational, association and industry collaboration is created. (*)

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