Sculpting the Future of Work: Strategy for Construction Sector Skills in the Circular Economy Framework
Jakarta/Zoom Meeting (Hybrid), November 18, 2025 — Indonesia is taking an ambitious step towards Vision Indonesia Emas 2045, making the Circular Economy a key pillar in the National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN) 2025-2045. However, this major transition presents a new challenge: who will fill the roles and acquire the expertise needed to realize this sustainability dream?
The answer began to emerge from a lively discussion held today. Through the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) Indonesia Phase II partnership, the International Labour Organization (ILO) initiated a meeting with key stakeholders—ranging from the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas and the Ministry of Manpower (Kemnaker) to business associations like APINDO, and construction industry players (Gapensi, GBCI, and AKI)—to formulate a green job skills, particularly in the construction sector.
Defining the 'Green Worker' on the Project Site
The construction sector is one of the national priorities for circular economy implementation. Therefore, this ILO-led discussion focused on the jobs within it.
"We don't just want to look at the needs of employers and training institute graduates, but also the challenges and barriers on the ground," said ILO Employment Specialist, Mr. Diego Rei, sharing experiences from similar activities in Thailand. The point is clear: future construction work must comply with the principles of circularity.
Mr. Basuki Muhclis, Executive Director of Indonesian Construction Association (Asosiasi Konstruksi Indonesia/ AKI), highlighted the industry reality that construction projects move fast, and labor must be ready when needed. This was reinforced by Mr. Tito Aribowo, representative from the Green Building Council Indonesia (GBCI), who stressed that the principle of circularity should not stop at the construction phase, but must be integrated throughout the entire building lifecycle, including in the procurement process (which involves contractors and owners) and even up to the deconstruction stage.
"The factor for selecting resources and manpower must be supplemented with a circularity factor," Mr. Tito emphasized.
Gauging HR Readiness and Linking to Priority Projects
A primary challenge identified is the lack of clear job title definitions for the "green" category in the construction sector within the National Job Classification (Klasifikasi Jabatan Nasional/ KJN).
Mrs. Hany Perwitasari from The Ministry of Manpower stated that a Green Manpower Roadmap is already in place , and the ILO's analysis needs to capture the actual demand and supply of green manpower in this sector. The Ministry assured that their training system is highly flexible and responsive to market needs, even open to proposing new programs based on identified needs. The question now is: does the existing training yield specific, market-recognized skill certificates?
Adding a strategic perspective, Mr. Pras from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs (Kementerian Koordinator Bidang Perekonomian-Kemenko Perekonomian), urged that the ILO project be directly linked to government priority projects, such as the 3 million housing program or the development of data centers. This will ensure the skills prepared are attractive to young people, while also meeting national infrastructure development needs.
The Way Forward: Tripartite Collaboration and Local Capacity
As a follow-up, the ILO will conduct a Skills Needs Assessment and prepare a detailed analysis of circular economy skills in the construction sector. This is a vital step to ensure Indonesia can meet the projected need for 5.3 million environmentally friendly jobs by 2029.
The key to the success of this initiative is the full involvement of all stakeholders—including business associations, trade unions, employment service providers, and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The ILO is also committed to building capacity at the local level, ensuring this green transition is felt across the regions.
This discussion reaffirms the synergy between sustainable development and the world of work. The circular economy is not just about waste management; it is about redesigning the work system, where construction workers do not just build, but also build a greener, more sustainable future for Indonesia.