Visit of the Department of Cooperatives, SMEs, and Manpower from Mappi Regency

Papua Tengah, Timika Papua Tengah, Timika — Somatua Training Center (STC) received an official visit from the Department of Cooperatives, SMEs, and Manpower of Mappi Regency on Monday, November 3, 2025. The visit aimed to strengthen collaboration in the areas of skills training, MSME empowerment, and youth workforce development in the South Papua region.

The delegation from the Department was led directly by the Head of the Department of Cooperatives, SMEs, and Manpower of Mappi Regency, accompanied by several officials from the training and economic empowerment divisions. They were warmly welcomed by the management of the Somatua Foundation, along with the team of trainers and participants currently attending the vocational training program at STC.

In his remarks, the representative from the Mappi Regency Office stated that this visit marks an initial step toward exploring collaboration with a local training institution that has long experience in empowering the young generation of Papua.

“We want to learn from Somatua Training Center about how to build an effective, contextual, and impactful training system for the community,” said Mrs. Wilhelmina Nahinde.
Head of the Manpower Division at the Department of Cooperatives and SMEs

Meanwhile, the Somatua Foundation team explained various programs that have been implemented, ranging from technical and culinary training to entrepreneurship initiatives involving young people from different regions across Papua.

“We believe that the right training can open up job opportunities and foster economic independence,” said one of the STC managers.

The visit also included a discussion session and a tour of the training facilities, where the delegation observed firsthand the learning activities in the workshop and skill classrooms. Several participants also shared their experiences about the positive changes they have felt after joining the training programs at STC.

At the end of the meeting, both parties expressed their commitment to establishing a sustainable partnership in the fields of human resource development and local economic empowerment.
It is hoped that this collaboration will lead to joint training programs for the people of Mappi Regency, enabling more young generations to become work-ready and competitive in the business world.STC)