PT Daikin Airconditioning Indonesia (DAIKIN) continues to demonstrate its social initiatives for the development of Indonesian society, particularly in the field of education. Through collaboration with Vocational High Schools (SMK), this Japanese air conditioning specialist officially inaugurated the DAIKIN Center of Excellence at SMK Negeri 2 Kendal today (August 20).
“Designed as a center of excellence, its presence serves as a training ground and competency development hub for students and instructors, specifically regarding refrigeration and air conditioning systems,” stated Budi Mulia, Director of PT Daikin Airconditioning Indonesia. He further emphasized that establishing the DAIKIN Center of Excellence demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to advancing vocational education competency through synergistic efforts with the Indonesian government.
This statement refers to DAIKIN’s synergy following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) of the Republic of Indonesia on July 25, 2019. Based on this agreement, DAIKIN has established collaborations with various vocational education institutions encompassing multiple aspects.
These initiatives include curriculum alignment, industry certification programs for teachers and students, guest lectures and training sessions led by DAIKIN experts, on-the-job practical training for both educators and learners, and donations of practice units to support school-based learning. “The DAIKIN Center of Excellence represents an advanced phase for selected vocational institutions, building upon previously established collaborations with the same core focus on enhancing student competency,” added Budi Mulia.
The DAIKIN Center of Excellence at SMK Negeri 2 Kendal takes the form of a dedicated classroom fully equipped with various DAIKIN air conditioning (AC) units. These units cover both residential applications and commercial building requirements. They are neatly arranged on specialized racks designed specifically for hands-on practice, ranging from installation procedures to AC troubleshooting.
Functioning as a traditional classroom, it also includes essential teaching aids such as whiteboards and instructor desks. To reinforce its role as a specialized laboratory for air conditioning equipment, one wall is adorned with informational posters detailing various aspects of air conditioner technology and maintenance.
“Complementing the physical infrastructure, we have also prepared comprehensive programs to support its mission in elevating the competency of both students and instructors,” Budi Mulia explained. These programs include direct training sessions facilitated by DAIKIN subject matter experts, as well as competency assessments specifically tailored for air conditioning systems targeting both educators and students.
Looking ahead, Budi Mulia hopes that the DAIKIN Center of Excellence at SMK Negeri 2 Kendal will extend its benefits beyond the school campus to reach broader stakeholders. He noted that this can be achieved by utilizing the facility as a shared training and testing center for partner schools and local refrigeration and air conditioning associations in Kendal and surrounding areas.
This vision aligns with the continued high demand for skilled labor in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector across Indonesia. For DAIKIN itself, adequately competent professionals are crucial to supporting its operational expansion within the country. To date, DAIKIN operates 16 representative offices across various regions in Indonesia and collaborates with approximately 1,400 business partners to facilitate product distribution and service delivery.
Furthermore, according to Budi Mulia, DAIKIN is poised to enter a new phase in Indonesia with major plans to commence domestic AC manufacturing through a production facility currently under construction in the Cikarang industrial area. “The growing competency of prospective technicians, particularly in refrigeration and air conditioning, presents greater opportunities for industry players like us to secure highly skilled human resources. This benefits not only our company but also the entire network of business partners within the industry,” he stated.
Welcoming the inauguration of the DAIKIN Center of Excellence, Suyanta, S.Pd., M.Pd., Principal of SMK Negeri 2 Kendal, echoed similar sentiments. During his remarks at the inauguration ceremony, Suyanta expressed hope that the synergy with DAIKIN will continue to flourish and expand in the years to come.
“The synergy realized through strong collaboration between the education sector and industry players will yield not only improved educational quality for students but also elevate the overall competency of Indonesia’s workforce in the coming years,” concluded Suyanta.
