Makassar, December 16, 2025 — Amid national challenges in preparing a workforce that is job-ready, adaptable, and aligned with the needs of strategic industries, PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (“PT Vale”), part of Mining Industry Indonesia (MIND ID), is strengthening its role as a driver of young talent development through its Co-Ops (Cooperative Education Program).

In collaboration with Hasanuddin University, the program selected 16 top students from 48 candidates to undergo a six-month full-time placement within PT Vale’s operational environment—a duration specifically designed to provide real-world industry experience, instill professional discipline, and ensure measurable, sustainable job readiness.

The Co-Ops initiative stems from the recognition that the gap between academia and industry requirements remains a major challenge in developing national human resources. As Indonesia accelerates downstream processing and industrial transformation, PT Vale believes that sustainability is not only about physical and technological investment but also about preparing the people who operate these systems. Co-Ops is therefore part of PT Vale’s long-term strategy to build young talent while ensuring industrial growth goes hand in hand with improving workforce quality.

Through this program, students are not merely introduced to the workplace—they fully immerse themselves in the industrial rhythm for six months, learning occupational health and safety standards, operational governance, and the professional culture that underpins modern mining. This approach makes Co-Ops more than an internship; it is a real transition space from campus to career, where participants are trained to think critically, act responsibly, and contribute from day one.

Co-Ops is also integrated into PT Vale’s broader local talent development ecosystem, which has been consistently nurtured for years around its operational areas. This includes the transformation of Sorowako Polytechnic (Poliwako) in East Luwu—formerly the Sorowako Technical Academy—into a vocational education hub aligned with industry needs. PT Vale complements this with short-term vocational training programs for local youth, ensuring that educational access translates into real job readiness rather than just higher participation rates.

Gandi Husodo, Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition, Performance Management & EVP at PT Vale Indonesia, emphasized that Co-Ops represents a strategic investment in human capital. “The biggest challenge for the industry today is not just workforce availability, but workforce readiness—being able to contribute safely, productively, and professionally from the start,” he said.

“Through six months of real industry experience, Co-Ops participants make significant leaps in work discipline, safety awareness, and professional readiness. This is the foundation the industry needs for sustainable growth.”

The program has been met with enthusiasm from participants. Muhammad Akbar, a student from Wasuponda, East Luwu, described Co-Ops as an opportunity to broaden his perspective on the working world—not only from a technical standpoint but also in understanding the importance of safety culture and professional responsibility, especially since PT Vale operates in his home region.

Meanwhile, Dewi Erika Yuliana, a Chemistry major at Hasanuddin University, sees Co-Ops as a tangible bridge between academic theory and industrial practice. She believes the experience will build confidence and readiness to enter the workforce after graduation.

Looking ahead, PT Vale is committed to expanding Co-Ops through partnerships with more educational institutions. This initiative aims to provide broader access for young people in operational areas to gain relevant, high-quality, globally competitive industry experience. For PT Vale, talent development is not just a social responsibility program—it is an integral part of its business strategy and long-term sustainability.

As Indonesia strives to strengthen competitiveness through downstream processing and industrial transformation, human resource readiness becomes a decisive factor. Through Co-Ops and its integrated talent development ecosystem, PT Vale is not only preparing the workforce of the future but also reinforcing the foundations of inclusive, sustainable regional and national development focused on long-term value creation.