The morning sun has not completely risen when Akhmad Riyadi, 28 years, is ready to go to work. As a purchasing staff of PT Panasonic Manufacturing Indonesia— a well-known electronic manufacturing company in Indonesia, he is used to leaving early in the morning from his residence to arrive on time.
Before the apprenticeship programme, my family faced an economic difficulty. Yet, now I am able to support my parents and can provide a better life for my wife and children."
Akhmad Riyadi, a Purchasing Staff at PT Panasonic Manufacturing Indonesia
Ten years ago, when he just graduated from the vocational school in one of the villages in Indramayu, West Java, he heard about an apprenticeship programme and, without hesitant, he took the opportunity and registered.
“When Panasonic looked for apprentices to small cities across Indonesia, including my city, I immediately registered to the programme as I wanted to try new things and improve my skills, ability as well as competency for a better future,” he said.
His perseverance made Akhmad one of the apprentices who continued to an advanced apprenticeship programme in Japan for two years. Now he has been appointed as a company’s permanent employee.
A desire to reach a better future also pushed Anastafia Putri, 27 years, to leave her hometown in Gorontalo, North Sulawesi. When she heard the information about the apprenticeship programme at PT Panasonic Manufacturing Indonesia from the local manpower office, she chose to migrate to Jakarta.
I am so excited, of course. I can further develop what I already have in myself, starting from technical skills or social skills. I also learned a lot of new things, especially about taxes."
Anastafia Putri, a Finance Staff of PT Panasonic Manufacturing Indonesia
“When I arrived from Gorontalo in 2017, I was still childish and dependent as I was never separated from my parents. But when I am here, I have learned how to be independent and take care of myself,” shared Anastafia with a smile.
Observing her performance and educational background as an accounting graduate, she was placed in the finance department since 2018. A year later, she was appointed as a permanent employee in the tax division.
“I am so excited, of course. I can further develop what I already have in myself, starting from technical skills or social skills. I also learned a lot of new things, especially about taxes,” she added.
A similar journey is also experienced by Elegia Pertiwi, 25 years old. With an accounting vocational school diploma from Garut, West Java, Elegia sought to improve her skills by joining the apprenticeship programme at Abuba Steak, an iconic Indonesian restaurant chain for three decades, in 2018. After working for two years in a restaurant, Elegia took the test to become a personnel staff.
When I worked as an apprentice, I learnt about how the restaurant works from its working patterns and administrative data so that when I moved to the HRD Division I am already knowledgeable about administrative related issues for both the restaurant and the employees."
Elegia Pertiwi, a HRD Staff of Abuba Steak
“During the selection process, there were four other candidates besides me. I was selected although other candidates had more experiences and higher levels than me. When I worked as an apprentice, I learnt about how the restaurant works from its working patterns and administrative data so that when I moved to the HRD Division I am already knowledgeable about administrative related issues for both the restaurant and the employees,” Elegia remarked.
As a personnel staff, Elegia has now been appointed as a permanent employee in 2020. She is responsible for taking care of various administrative works from attendance data, recitations to health and employment insurance.
The apprenticeship programme has also made Putri Nabila, 22 years old, a store manager at Kopi Kenangan, one of the fastest growing grab-and-go coffee chains in Indonesia. Interested in gaining new skills and experiences, this vocational high school graduate without hesitation enrolled in an apprenticeship programme in 2019.
“After graduating from the apprenticeship programme, I took the buddy trainer test at Kopi Kenangan and I passed. Then, I took another test to be a supervisor, followed by, in October 2021, taking a test for a store manager. After passing the test, I manage my own store,” Putri said.
Nevertheless, the successes reached by Akhmad, Anastafia, Elegia and Putri were not without challenges. Putri for example did not have a basic knowledge about coffees and their different types and characteristics, while Anastafia was astonished when she was assigned to the fan assembly section.
I encourage other young apprentices to be full of determination."
Putri Nabila, a Store Manager of PT Kopi Kenangan
“At first, of course, I was very nervous as I had no work experience. It was also my first time leaving my hometown,” recalled Elegia.
Yet, these challenges had made them even more determined to move forward. Not only continuing to improve themselves like Elegia, who is currently going to college majoring in management, but also encouraging other young apprentices to be full of determination like Putri does.
The apprenticeship programme also improves their families’ economy and life as experienced by Akhmad. “Before the apprenticeship programme, my family faced an economic difficulty. Yet, now I am able to support my parents and can provide a better life for my wife and children.”
Similarly, Putri said that her mother does not have to work anymore and Anastafia can help financing the education of her two younger siblings. While Elegia can afford continuing her university education.
It is important for young people to have the opportunity to experience the real working experiences to ensure a smooth transition from school to work."
Tauvik Muhamad, the ILO’s Coordinator Programme for Skills Development
“It is important for young people to have the opportunity to experience the real working experiences to ensure a smooth transition from school to work. The working experiences include on the job training and industry-based apprenticeship programmes that ensure the vocational training by industry is in line with national standardized-competencies and needs of the companies,” stated Tauvik Muhamad, the ILO’s Coordinator Programme for Skills Development.
Elegia encourages other youth to join the apprenticeship programme for better skills development. While Putri urges other youth to follow her steps to be more skilled and knowledgeable for promising future career. “Let’s join the apprenticeship programme. You Will be more skilled and competent with a better future ahead of you,” concluded Akhmad.
