Indonesia lacks skilled workers due to a huge gap between academia and industry, as educational institutions often do not train students to meet the needs of employers, according to a study on skilled labour within five Southeast Asian countries released on 1 November by SMU and global financial services firm J.P. Morgan. Commenting on the findings of the study, SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer noted that Indonesia should leverage its young workforce as a competitive advantage, and prioritise education and skills training — ensuring that there are sufficient numbers of qualified teachers and greater involvement by industry players, who can offer industrial apprenticeships and practical training for the country to achieve sustainable growth.