Indonesia's Public Works Ministry Expands Construction Training for Santri

Annual Program to Enhance Construction Skills

Indonesia's Minister of Public Works, Dody Hanggodo, has confirmed that the ministry will continue its training program for santri in construction skills on an annual basis. The initiative, launched in response to a tragic incident at a pesantren, aims to provide basic construction training to santri across the country.

Program Details and Implementation

In the 2025 budget year, the ministry has allocated Rp 7.5 billion to train 2,500 santri from nine provinces. The program is designed to be flexible, with the actual number of participants depending on interest. Dody Hanggodo emphasized that participation is not mandatory but rather aimed at those who wish to acquire basic construction skills.

Background and Objectives

The training program is a follow-up to President Joko Widodo's directive to expand access to basic construction training for santri. This initiative gained momentum after the tragic collapse of the Al-Khoziny Pesantren building on September 29, 2025. The ministry stresses that the program is not intended to turn santri into construction workers but rather to equip them with fundamental knowledge in the field.

Future Prospects

While the program is set to continue annually, its scale will depend on participant interest. The Public Works Minister indicated that the ministry is committed to maintaining this initiative, subject to demand. This approach reflects the government's commitment to enhancing the skill set of santri while ensuring the program's sustainability and relevance.