On 26 October 2011, we are honored to have a visit of the Indonesian Minister of Manpower & Transmigration Muhaimin Iskandar at our Balikpapan Training Centre. Cak Imin, the minister widely called, was had this special visit to have a closer look of our national-awarded Apprenticeship Program. He was accompanied by some government officials, including East Kalimantan Vice Governor Farid Wadjdy and Mayor of Balikpapan Rizal Effendi, and hosted by our executive Director Sam Rumende and Superintendent Technical Training Alusianyah.

In his speech, Muhaimin said, the role of apprenticeship is very important, not solely for increasing labor quality, but also for encouraging companies to increase their business productivity through the availability of quality workforce and in accordance with the competencies they need.

"We have more than 5000 companies here in East Kalimantan, but only Thiess who has a good apprentice program," said Muhaimin quoted by Tribun Kaltim newspaper.

During his visit, the Minister also toured our training facility, met apprentices at work, and planted a tree as a token of our commitment to the environment.