VOCIFY, short for Vocational Amplify, is a bold initiative led by OCS Indonesia to transform vocational education for blue-collar workers into a pathway for economic resilience, Environmental, Social and Governance [ESG] alignment, and inclusive workforce development. Addressing Indonesia’s entrenched barriers to education and employment, VOCIFY blends UK-accredited Technical and Vocational Education and Training [TVET] standards with local compliance to deliver industry-ready and globally recognised green skills.

The initiative was inspired and guided by Jonathan Ledger, Skills & Professional Bodies Specialist at the UK Department for Business and Trade, whose pivotal mentorship enabled OCS Indonesia to build a sustainable bridge between aspiration and reality.

Strategic Objectives:

• Break the cycle of poverty through job-embedded, certified upskilling.
• Embed green, digital, and circular economy skills in frontline roles.
• Foster social inclusion by also targeting women and people who are neurodivergent and people with disabilities.
• Align with Indonesia’s Vision 2045 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Position facility management as a driver of national ESG transformation.

At its heart, VOCIFY addresses the “intergenerational poverty” where limited education restricts employment opportunities, trapping generations in low-wage jobs. By focusing on inclusivity targeting (women (underrepresented in technical fields), people who are neurodivergent, and people with disabilities (often excluded due to inaccessible training) in later stage and in phases), and embedding green skills like digitalization and circular economy practices, VOCIFY aligns with Indonesia’s Vision 2045 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)’s 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work), and 13 (Climate Action). This initiative not only boost operational efficiency but also fosters social mobility, transforming FM into a sector of empowerment and innovation.

OCS Indonesia adopted a private-to-private model, bypassing bureaucratic delays inherent in public-private partnerships (PPPs). Collaborating with UK institutions like the Association of Business Executives (ABE), Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), and Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), OCS upgraded its comprehensive training modules from national standards to British standards, including circular economy content (UK Government, 2022). Hybrid approaches, on-the-job-and-off-training and digitised delivery through a learning management system overcomes geographical barriers, enabling scalable access for remote learners.

Curriculum design emphasises practical, industry-relevant skills: foundational modules on FM basics, occupational health and safety, and communication, in the first year of total-3-years-apprenticeship program, alongside advanced topics like practical energy efficiency and waste management. Inclusivity is embedded through the whole selection apprenticeship programme and mentorship for underrepresented groups, in later stage, including adaptive facilities and assistive starting 2028, ensuring alignment with MoM’s apprenticeship regulations (e.g., maximum 20% of workforce as apprentices, up to one-year duration).

VOCIFY’s launched at the UK-Indonesia Green Skills Collaboration Report event in February 2025 garnered acclaim from the British Embassy and Department for Business Trade, positioning it is a benchmark for private-led skills initiatives.

Externally, VOCIFY challenges vocational stigma, reframing FM as a pathway and stepping stone to meaningful careers. Its emphasis on inclusivity, e.g., gender equity and disability integration, has drawn praise for fostering diverse talent pools, aligning with global ESG trends.

Reception underscores the programme’s resonance with UK-Indonesia ties, as seen in joint statements emphasising skills for sustainable development. Stakeholders view VOCIFY as a practical embodiment of shared priorities in TVET reform amongst Indonesia and UK Governments, Industries, and Private Sectors.