KUALA LUMPUR - The government plans to expand special scholarships for high school and vocational school graduates who want to work abroad.

Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar, announced the plan after a limited cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace complex on Tuesday.

"High school and vocational school graduates who want to go abroad will receive special scholarships.

“Rp12 trillion will be prepared for training and improving language skills for prospective workers seeking jobs in overseas markets," said Muhaimin.

He added the initiative is part of a broader government plan to increase the number of vocational scholarships aimed at boosting the capacity of school leavers interested in overseas employment.

The training will cover various skills, including welding, caregiving, hospitality, and foreign language programs for international job markets.

Muhaimin however did not give a specific number about the scholarship quota, but said the program would be maximized to reach as many beneficiaries as possible.

"The scholarship will start at the end of this year with a certain number of recipients and will expand further in January," he said.

He explained that the fund for the scholarship program is separate from another job creation initiative being prepared by the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Migrant Workers' Protection (P2MI).

That program targets 500,000 workers with an Rp8 trillion budget to train Indonesians in welding and hospitality for overseas employment.

"It is different from the program under the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs," he clarified.

Previously, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto said President Prabowo Subianto had instructed the preparation of 500,000 skilled workers in welding and hospitality.

"The President instructed us to prepare 500,000 workers in the fields of welding and hospitality.

"In the discussion, the P2MI Minister was asked to coordinate the program, with a budget allocation of around Rp8 trillion," Airlangga said on 22 October. 

Airlangga also said the program will also involve the Ministry of Manpower to ensure that these trained workers can have opportunities to work abroad.