BATANG KUIS – The Regency Government of Deli Serdang is urging fresh graduates of the Deli Serdang Engineering Academy (Akademi Teknik Deli Serdang / ATDS) not to rely solely on their academic diplomas, but to actively acquire professional competencies and industry-recognized certifications to meet workforce demands.
The message was delivered during the Graduation Ceremony for the 2025/2026 Academic Year held at Wing Hotel Kualanamu, Tumpatan Nibung Village, Batang Kuis District, on Saturday (September 12, 2026), where 72 students officially earned their Associate Degrees in Engineering (Ahli Madya Teknik).
Delivering an official address on behalf of Deli Serdang Regent dr. H. Asri Ludin Tambunan, the Acting Head of the National Unity and Politics Body (Kesbangpol) of Deli Serdang Regency, Anwar Sadat Siregar, stated that the regional administration remains open to collaboration with higher education institutions, including ATDS, to accelerate local development and address labor market requirements.
This initiative is deemed crucial as Deli Serdang’s Open Unemployment Rate (Tingkat Pengangguran Terbuka / TPT) based on 2025 data still stood at 7.6 percent.
Synergy with Job Training Centers (BLK)
To bridge the gap between academic education and industry requirements, the Deli Serdang Regency Government is pushing to enhance vocational training programs through the Deli Serdang Job Training Center (BLK).
“These alumni can undergo targeted training so that they are capable of creating their own job opportunities or becoming certified workers who are ready to be absorbed into industrial estates across Deli Serdang Regency,” Anwar Sadat Siregar said on Saturday.
The 72 graduating engineers consist of 7 graduates from Electrical Engineering, 24 from Industrial Engineering, 35 from Mechanical Engineering, and 6 from Civil Engineering. Beyond seeking corporate employment, graduates are expected to spearhead technological innovations that benefit the public—including waste-to-economy conversions, natural resource downstreaming into flagship products, and improving the structural quality of local roads and bridges.
Character Building and Academic Quality Recognition
Meanwhile, Director of Akademi Teknik Deli Serdang (ATDS), Joel Panjaitan, reminded the graduates not to halt their personal growth at academic achievements alone, but to continuously hone their technical competencies, character, integrity, and eagerness to learn.
“Be competent individuals while remaining humble. Be professionals while upholding integrity. Become successful individuals, but never forget to be useful to society,” Joel Panjaitan emphasized.
He further added that ATDS continuously upgrades its teaching quality in accordance with rapid technological advancements and industrial demands. These internal efforts have earned formal institutional recognition, including SPMI (Internal Quality Assurance System) awards from Higher Education Service Institution (LLDIKTI) Region I North Sumatra in both 2024 and 2025.
To provide readers with a comprehensive perspective on technical vocational education and labor dynamics in Deli Serdang Regency, here are key background highlights:
Deli Serdang Regency serves as one of North Sumatra’s primary industrial hearts, hosting major manufacturing and logistics hubs such as the Tanjung Morawa Industrial Estate (KIM Medan extension zones) and strategic transport links near Kualanamu International Airport. Vocational institutions like ATDS play a critical role in supplying skilled technical mid-level managers and engineering operators directly tailored to these industrial zones.
The integration of academic programs with the regional Job Training Centers (Balai Latihan Kerja / BLK) reflects the local government’s broader strategy to reduce youth unemployment. By combining diploma degrees with national certification boards (such as BNSP certificates), graduates gain competitive advantages in local manufacturing, civil construction, and electrical systems maintenance.
The emphasis on civil and mechanical engineering innovations—specifically recycling waste into economic commodities and improving local road/bridge infrastructure—aligns with Deli Serdang’s strategic regional infrastructure expansion plan. Local graduates are being encouraged to incubate tech-based MSMEs (UMKM) that leverage sustainable engineering and local resource downstreaming.