Jakarta, June 15 -- Deputy Minister of Manpower Afriansyah Noor highlighted the need for a competent, adaptive, and job-ready workforce to meet industry needs amid rapid digital transformation and artificial intelligence growth.

"We are currently in an era of rapid labor transformation. The industrial sector no longer just looks for individuals holding a piece of paper, but rather for graduates who are capable and possess real competencies," he said in a statement in Jakarta on Monday.

He further noted that a college degree is no longer the sole prerequisite for entering the workforce, meaning graduates must already possess the skills demanded by the job market.

"Competency certification is proof that our workforce meets the standards ...