Linking TVET and the Gig Economy: The Contribution of Public Vocational Training Centers to Gig Workers’ Quality of Life and Sustainability in Indonesia
Keywords:
gig worker gig economy tvet public vocational training center sustainable employmentAbstract
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) plays a vital role in addressing labor market transformations. The rapid rise of the gig economy has reshaped employment worldwide, offering flexibility but raising concerns about job security and income stability. In Indonesia, Public Vocational Training Centers (PVTCs) under the Ministry of Manpower are central to providing workers with relevant skills, yet their linkage to the gig economy remains underexplored. This study investigates how PVTCs contribute to workers’ employability and quality of life within this context. Using a qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews with PVTC instructors and graduates engaged in gig-based work, the research explores the relevance of vocational training to gig opportunities, the challenges faced by workers, and the sustainability of their livelihoods. The findings reveal that PVTCs effectively enhance technical competence, confidence, and entrepreneurial mindset, yet face gaps in aligning curricula with dynamic gig market demands. Graduates reported difficulties in client acquisition and business promotion, emphasizing the need for stronger digital literacy and government-facilitated platforms to connect certified workers with local market opportunities. The study concludes that PVTCs should evolve beyond skill providers toward becoming enablers of sustainable livelihoods through integrated lifelong learning systems and digital market linkages. Policy recommendations include curriculum renewal, accessible lifelong learning pathways, public–private partnerships, and the creation of a national platform bridging certified PVTC graduates with community-based demand. By linking vocational training to gig economy participation, this study contributes to the understanding of how TVET can enhance workers’ quality of life and promote sustainable employment pathways in Indonesia’s evolving labor market.
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