Ninety-five years have passed since the Youth Pledge was first announced; calling for the archipelago to unite as one homeland, one nation, and one language. The pledge was not only a symbol of unity, but also a catalyst for innovation, adaptation, and resilience.
The same values are still relevant today as we enter the era of digitalization. Responding to the opportunities that come with the development of technology, the spirit of the Youth Pledge encourages the nation’s youth to develop their potential to enhance competitiveness and use it to create a positive impact that will benefit Indonesia.
It is Microsoft’s commitment to bridge the passion of the youth in enhancing their skills by providing relevant digital training programs. This commitment has led Microsoft to come up with various skilling programs designed to reduce the gap between the skills of today’s youth and the skills required in the jobs available to them. The initiation of Skills for Jobs Indonesia, a free digital literacy, digital skills, and job preparation program, is one of the manifestations. Bringing the values of inclusivity–in line with the spirit of the Youth Pledge, increasing access to digital skills is an important focus of Skills for Jobs Indonesia, and this means making the program available to as many Indonesians as possible, wherever they are.
I learn, so others can grow – A story from Central Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara
Erlinda Rambu Enga, better known as Erlinda, is an animal husbandry graduate from East Nusa Tenggara. Born and raised in Central Sumba, Erlinda studied her higher education in Kupang before returning to her hometown after graduation.
“My educational and professional background is far from the use of computers and digital technology. Taking into account the unstable internet connection in this region, I, and probably other young people my age, don’t know what digital skills are. Then the pandemic hit and I was invited to join this program by my friend in the city [Kupang]. It turned out that there were many things I could learn from there,” recalls Erlinda.
Through Skills for Jobs Indonesia, Erlinda learned Microsoft Office skills from the ground up, particularly for applications such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint. In addition, Erlinda also took business management classes that helped her build and run her small business more efficiently. The challenges she faced did not discourage her, and Erlinda persevered to complete the modules.
She did not keep this newfound knowledge and skills to herself. Recognizing the limited digital capabilities of the people around her, Erlinda also opened the doors of her house to receive visits from local residents who encountered technological problems in their daily activities.
“Many neighbors come to my house and ask for help to be taught [digital skills], whether to do assignments, register for jobs online, even school students who are preparing for college in Java. They want to learn so that they are not left behind by people who have better access in big cities. So, I use my knowledge to benefit others,” she says.
If for most people, home is a place of rest, then Erlinda’s home is a beacon of hope where she can spread the benefits she has received from Skills for Jobs Indonesia to her community.
“I realized that a lot of young people around me are not digital savvy. Thanks to the Microsoft Office skills taught through Skills for Jobs Indonesia, I was offered to become a computer teacher at one of the vocational schools here. Although I can’t currently accept the job because there are domestic matters that require high flexibility, this has inspired me to open an internet cafe as well as a community training center that I can use as a more conducive teaching place, so that the people of Central Sumba become more digitally proficient,” Erlinda concluded.
If we don’t walk today, we must run tomorrow – A story from Parepare, South Sulawesi
It is the vision of Shinta Amang, a youthpreneur from Parepare, South Sulawesi who is also a participant of the Skills for Jobs Indonesia program, to make her MSME business a force for good. Starting from the challenges faced in managing the gamis (dress often worn by female Muslim on special occasion) boutique business that she runs with her sister, Shinta seeks answers at Skills for Jobs Indonesia.
“Competition in the fashion business is not something easy, I realize the shift in consumer behavior that now prioritizes the online experience. So I had to find a way to compete. That’s why I joined and completed 10 online classes at Skills for Jobs, mostly related to business management and the use of Microsoft Office to run an MSME like mine,” said Shinta.
Through these classes, Shinta applied digital and business skills to her business. No longer sticking to direct sales, Shinta and her sister adopted e-commerce to give customers more flexibility to view catalogs, read rental and purchase terms, and more. Innovations that may seem familiar to many, such as using Microsoft Office applications to manage financial bookkeeping, are new to them and have proven to help save time and effort in running store operations.
“In the past, our Founding Fathers needed to sacrifice a lot to get the opportunity to learn. Now, everything is at our fingertips. So, I don’t allow the slightest challenge to dampen my spirit; I hope this spirit is also adopted by other Indonesian youth. Especially with technology developing so fast, we need to start as soon as possible. If we don’t walk today, we must run tomorrow,” Shinta concluded.
Looking to the Future with the Spirit of the Youth Pledge: Microsoft’s Commitment
For a country as visionary as Indonesia, ensuring that every youth has access to various types of education and upskilling & reskilling programs that can improve their quality of life when they come to working age needs to be seen as a potential. A free upskilling & reskilling program that is accessible to everyone is one answer to how this potential can be explored further.
“We crafted Skills for Jobs and the programs within it with the young people in mind—to ensure that we capture the essence of youth and to make a difference that changes the world, one step at a time. The Microsoft SfJ program is dedicated to empowering young individuals to unlock their potential, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed for a brighter and more promising future. So, on this Youth Pledge Day, we appreciate our participants who not only join the program but also pay it forward and bring a good impact on their communities. We hope that the stories of our participants can create a ripple effect that empowers people to achieve more,” said Supahrat Juramongkol, Microsoft Philanthropies Lead for ASEAN.
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