Forestry Training Centre examines the application of Competency-Based Learning

Competency-Based Learning (CBL) is a learning approach that focuses on improving participants' competence in knowledge, skills and attitudes by using participatory methods, contextual problem solving and reflection. The Indonesian government has adopted CBL through the Presidential Decree No. 8/2012 as part of the Indonesia National Qualifications Framework (KKNI). In the forestry sector, CBL is adopted by the Indonesia National Standard of Job Competency and applied to various professions in the forestry sector.

With the aim of monitoring CBL implementation in the forestry sector, the Centre of Forestry Education and Training (CFET) of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in collaboration with FORCLIME conducted a series of assessments at the Forestry Training Centres (BDK) in Bogor, Samarinda and Kadipaten as well as the Forestry Vocational High Schools (SMKK) in Samarinda and Kadipaten.

The results of the assessments include:

1. A CBL system has been installed already in two SMKK and three BDK, yet full application is still lacking.
2. To promote the complete implementation of CBL systems, certain preconditions need to be met, for example internal consolidation to have the perception between work units, as well as external dialogue with relevant stakeholders such as the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ministry of National Education and the Institute of Public Administration to harmonize the policies.
3. At least seven issues have been identified that need to be improved for full application of the CBL system: (a) The current regulations tend to encourage uniformity; (b) The need to improve the capacity of teachers; (c) Current curricula and syllabus are too static; (d) Inconsistency in implementing the learning cycles, such as needs assessment and evaluation; (e) More support is needed from many stakeholders, including potential users, in the learning process, for instance regarding the preparation of curricula (f) Limited technical facilities; (g) The selection process of participants is not consistent with existing standards.The full report of the assessment results will be presented at a multi-stakeholder meeting. The assessment results are expected to be used as inputs for improving the implementation of CBL policy in the forestry sector.

For more information, please contact: Edy Marbyanto, Strategic Area Manager for Human Capacity Development

Public consultation on competency standards for local forestry officials

With the aim to support the development of professional local forestry officials, the Center for Planning and Development of Forest Human Resources (Pusrenbang SDMK) of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in collaboration with GIZ FORCLIME developed a competency standard for local forestry government employees. The standard is expected to be used as guidance for assigning forestry officials, which not only considers the administrative aspects of rank and class, but also forestry technical competence aspects.

To collect inputs from stakeholders on the draft competency standard, public consultations were conducted on 21 November and 11 December 2014. The latter event was attended by 50 participants from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Provincial Forestry Services, District Forestry Services, academia, and the Professional Certification Institute.

Some important issues that arose during the public consultations include: (1) The developed standard only covers the technical aspects of forestry as managerial competences are covered by the competency standards prepared by the Minister for Administrative Reform or the National Personnel Agency/BKN; (2) The preparation of regional competency standards has to comply with Law No. 23 of 2014 on Local Government which transfers the management of forestry affairs to the provincial government; (3) It is necessary to consider social aspects and availability of human resources in the region in implementing the competence standards; (4) It is necessary to establish more detailed rules regarding the placement process of officials and the involvement of relevant stakeholders in this process.

For more information please contact:
Edy Marbyanto, Strategic Area Manager for Human Capacity Development
Mathias Bertram, Strategic Area Manager for Forest Policy

Experts dialogue on biomass production for forest bioenergy

The importance of bioenergy in Indonesia is constantly increasing. For that purpose GIZ FORCLIME initiated a visit to Bavaria in Germany to promote and raise awareness for the development of forest based renewable energies in Indonesia.

In the week from 8-12 December 2014,19 Indonesian experts exchanged their knowledge, discussed important issues and implementation requirements with their Bavarian colleges.
Among the delegation members were six officials from the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry, two representatives from East Kalimantan’s Province, one from Malinau, two from Kapuas Hulu, two from universities, two people from GIZ projects (GE-Lama-i and ICTTF), one NGO representative and three advisors from GIZ.

The expert dialogue began in the University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf to get an overview of the energy policy in Germany. A discussion about the sources of biomass energy in Germany was followed by a field trip to the forest. Other topics discussed were processing of biomass energy (wood pellet, briquet and gasifier) to get a general idea of marketing and research aspects.

Despite the tight schedule and very cold weather, the participants with various backgrounds were enthusiastic and participated actively in the discussions.

For further information, please contact: Pipin Permadi, Senior Adviser for Forest Policy