For many young people, the future often begins with an opportunity—an opportunity to learn, develop new skills, and demonstrate their potential. Expanding these opportunities requires strong collaboration between government and industry stakeholders to prepare a competent workforce that is ready to meet the evolving demands of the industrial sector.
Efforts to advance human capital development in North Maluku were further strengthened during the Job Fair organized by the North Maluku Manpower and Transmigration Office (Disnakertrans). As part of the initiative, Harita Nickel and the North Maluku Provincial Government signed a cooperation agreement on vocational training and workforce placement, marking a strategic step toward enhancing local talent competitiveness and expanding employment opportunities across the province.
The agreement, signed by North Maluku Governor Sherly Tjoanda Laos and Latif Supriadi, Executive Vice President of External Relations at Harita Nickel, marks a joint commitment to expanding access to skills development, creating greater employment opportunities, and strengthening the competitiveness of local talent in North Maluku.
Governor Sherly Tjoanda Laos also expressed her appreciation for Harita Nickel’s consistent commitment to enhancing community skills through a range of workforce development programs that have been implemented continuously over the past several years.
"We would like to thank Harita Nickel for its consistent efforts, year after year, in providing workforce training opportunities for the people of North Maluku," Governor Sherly said in her remarks.
At the same time, during the job fair, Harita Nickel offered 416 job vacancies across a wide range of positions, including heavy equipment operators, mechanics, drivers, and various other operational roles. These employment opportunities serve as an important pathway for local talent to participate directly in the growth of North Maluku’s rapidly expanding industrial sector.
Yet, preparing for the future requires more than simply opening doors to employment. It begins with ensuring that young people have the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to seize those opportunities. Recognizing this, Harita Nickel has partnered with the Ternate Vocational Training and Productivity Center (BPVP Ternate) to deliver a series of capacity-building programs tailored to the evolving needs of industry.
Among these initiatives is the Youth Skills and Competency Development Program (PELITA), launched in 2023 to help bridge the gap between education and employment. Through the program, participants receive hands-on training in heavy equipment operation, overhead crane operation, and Mandarin language skills—competencies that are increasingly valuable in the industrial workplace. Today, many program alumni have successfully transitioned into the workforce, demonstrating how targeted skills development can create lasting pathways to employment and career growth.
For communities across island regions such as Obi Island and other areas of North Maluku, vocational training programs represent more than just skills development initiatives. They serve as a gateway to broader opportunities, helping individuals enhance their competitiveness while preparing the younger generation to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the future.
By expanding access to relevant skills and practical experience, these programs empower local communities to participate more actively in regional economic growth and contribute meaningfully to the development of North Maluku’s evolving industrial landscape.
Harita Nickel’s Executive Vice President of External Relations, Latif Supriadi, emphasized that human capital development remains a key pillar of the company’s commitment to growing alongside the communities where it operates.
"Our success as a company is closely linked to our ability to grow together with the communities around us. When the young people of North Maluku are able to develop their potential and build brighter futures, it is also a source of pride for us," said Latif.
He added that investing in skills development and workforce readiness is not only about meeting industry needs, but also about creating sustainable opportunities that enable local communities to participate in and benefit from the region’s ongoing economic growth.
The spirit of collaboration was also welcomed by Marwan Polisiri, Head of the North Maluku Manpower and Transmigration Office (Disnakertrans). According to him, strong synergy between the government and industry is a strategic step toward strengthening the capabilities of the local workforce while expanding access to quality employment opportunities for the community.
Through this partnership, the prospect of nurturing more competent, adaptable, and competitive local talent continues to grow. After all, development is not measured solely by industrial growth, but also by the extent to which young people are given opportunities to learn, contribute, and become active participants in shaping a more prosperous future for North Maluku.