Provide Skills for Indonesian Unemployed Youth

Dear YUM supporters,

My name is Joanna, and I am a student from France pursuing a bachelor’s degree in international Solidarity Project Management. I am currently doing a four-month internship at YUM, focusing on the Vocational Training Centre (VTC) project. With this letter, I would like to share my experience working at the VTC in Cipanas, West Java.

At this moment, we are conducting an assessment of the project to gain a deeper understanding of its activities. Our goal is to comprehend the current employment situation and the needs of the youth, in order to identify potential improvements that can be made through this project to better support them.

What we found in the area in terms of employment is that potential employers are increasingly seeking candidates with strong interpersonal skills to stand out in such a competitive environment. Traits such as confidence and reliability are highly valued. Also, the service sector, which accounts for 42% of the GDP, is just as significant as the industrial sector and continues to grow. This sector is crucial for employment opportunities, highlighting the importance of equipping young people with the necessary skills to thrive in this dynamic field. Additionally, there is a very high success rate among entrepreneurs. 

I also had the opportunity to attend English classes and meet the students, who are very motivated and curious! We were able to discuss cultural differences, their eagerness to learn English, and how this skill can benefit their future careers.

The VTC provides an excellent opportunity for young people to acquire valuable skills and stand out in the job market. This initiative is crucial for lifting youth out of poverty and increasing their employment prospects. With its ability to adapt to the evolving employment landscape, VTC holds significant potential for positive impact. These studies can guide us in enhancing and tailoring VTC to be as relevant as possible to the needs of the youth.

Based on a satisfaction survey run with the students, we can already say that the VTC students are very satisfied about the courses and that it reaches their expectations. Thank you for your generous support to this project!

We are excited to inform you that six students of our Hospitality and Tourism diploma program in Central Kalimantan just graduated! All of  the graduates started their study in September 2021 and followed an 18-month program at YUM, including a three month internship. The training they received has prepared them to work as front office/receptionist, housekeeping and jobs in food and beverage. It also included a special English class, computer skills for hospitality, financial literacy as well as technical training in housekeeping and front of house (FOH). 

At the end of the program, each student does a 3-month internship in various hotels, and travel agencies. During their internship, they can put into practice what they have learned, while our teachers monitor their progress regularly.

Here’s a story of one of the students:

Vira (not her real name) was born in Kanarakan, a remote village situated in the sub-district of Bukit Batu. She is the second child of five siblings. Two of her younger siblings are still in primary school and one is still a one year old. Her father is a gold miner and her mother sometimes sells snacks. She joined the Hospitality and Tourism diploma program right after graduating from high school. She wants to be as successful as the previous students because she knows that most of the students have already found employment. In her spare time, together with her cousin, they run a small food stall.

“I chose to continue my education at the Hospitality and Tourism program because I wanted to get a job quickly. Today, I have finished my internship program in  a 3-star hotel. Apart from learning everything that is related to hospitality and tourism, I also learned basic accounting, administration and marketing. These knowledge and skills will for sure give me more opportunities in all kinds of fields of work.”

We are so thankful to be able to provide this type of job readiness skills training for marginalized youth living in Central Kalimantan, an area where there is no other training center for those unable to pay university fees. If you would like to help us do this, TODAY is the Little by Little event organized by GlobalGiving, who will be matching all donations up to $50 by 50%, from April 8 to April 12. Don’t miss out!

Thank you as always for your continued support!