The availability of Human Resources (HR) is the main key in the progress of the Indonesian furniture and handicraft industry. Indonesian furniture and handicraft products have a unique side, than others; it is the designs made by craftsmen. This is certainly a concern for Indonesian furniture and handicraft industry craftsmen, especially wood craftsmen.
Currently, there’s only a few skilled personnel with special craft skill. To prepare skilled workers in the furniture sector, the government has opened a furniture polytechnic in Kendal, Central Java. The curriculum at the Polytechnic of the Ministry of Industry is dynamic, adapted to market needs. Therefore, this polytechnic cooperates with HIMKI (Indonesian Furniture and Handicraft Industry Association) in preparing the curriculum so that the graduates of this polytechnic truly meet the needs of job market.
Overseas buyers come to Indonesia furniture exhibitions to see unique, innovative, and creative products created by skilled craftsmen. Craftsmen are artists who create the best works through creative thinking process. To ensure that the furniture industry still has skilled resources, HIMKI seeks to carry out various steps for fostering and developing human resources.
One of the steps taken through the exhibition is giving awards or appreciation to the craftsmen. Furniture Award is a program conducted as an appreciation to the exhibitors. In addition to the exhibitors, appreciation to the craftsmen who the important assets of the furniture industry will also be given. It is hoped that this appreciation can stimulate the craftsmen to continue working and create new craftsmen.
Currently, skilled workers in the furniture industry have begun to be replaced by machines or technology. If this happens in Indonesia, it could harm the furniture industry. Therefore, the use of technology should be done to support the production or finishing process and not to replace human skill. The craftsman’s hand skills are something that cannot be replaced and become an added value for Indonesia furniture products.
The exhibition is the best event to show the excellence of Indonesian furniture products, including the creativity of the craftsmen behind these products.
–sh
