390 Young People in Wonogiri Embark into Workforce through Life Skills Program

Wonogiri, 7 September 2023 – The Life Skills for Work Readiness program has prepared 390 talented youth (aged 18-27) in Wonogiri, Central Java, to enter the modern workforce. Within six months, these youth, including students from 10 different vocational schools, have undergone soft skills training organized by Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (Plan Indonesia), PT. Nesia Pan Pacific Clothing, Wonogiri Manpower Office, Wonogiri Vocational Training Center, with support from Korea Exim Bank, Community Chest of Korea, and Pan Pacific Group.

The program began by training 23 mentors from various organizations (the Wonogiri Vocational Training Center, PT. Nesia Pan Pacific Clothing, representatives from 10 Wonogiri Vocational Schools, and Sehati Disabled Community) and continued with gradual training for the 390 learners. These training sessions aimed not only at knowledge transfer but also at expanding their worldview. 31 out of 50 Vocational Training Center Wonogiri trainees are working at PT. Nesia Pan Pacific Clothing, while 7 of them have ventured into other career opportunities, showcasing the program’s tangible impact.

Bhakti, a 26-year-old program participant, is now employed as a GA staff at PT. Nesia Pan Pacific Clothing shares, “The Life Skills for Work Readiness program has been life-changing. It’s not just knowledge; it’s about discovering the power within me to navigate the modern workplace. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity.” said Bhakti.

Benedictus Wahyu Sadewo, the Youth Employment and entrepreneurship Program Manager at Plan Indonesia, conveyed the essence of the Life Skills for Work Readiness program. “Our program’s inception was driven by a vision to empower youth with more than their academic knowledge, establishing a soft skills training initiative poised to redefine success. Soft skills serve as the bridge to success, and witnessing 38 participants secure employment proves that investing in these skills pays dividends,” expressed Wahyu.

The program delved into vital workplace topics such as Gender Sensitivity, Prevention of Workplace Bullying, and Prevention of Sexual Harassment, in addition to modules on Leadership, Effective Communication, Work Ethic, Building Self-Concept, Problem Solving Skills, and Access to Information, all designed to enhance participants’ readiness for the job market.

Yuh Tae Oh, Director of PT. Nesia Pan Pacific Clothing, expressed the company’s support for local youth development. “The Life Skills for Work Readiness program serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that equipped with the right skills and mindset, youth can overcome challenges and seize opportunities in the evolving world of work. We really hope this will be a good opportunity for the youth generation of Wonogiri to work together with PT. NPC and build their careers to help develop the human capabilities of the Wonogiri people as our company grows,” he said.

Closing Program Life Skills for Work Readiness (Doc Plan Indonesia)

One imminent aspect of the Life Skills for Work Readiness is inclusivity and sustainability for younger workforce. As an embodiment of this aspect, the training team ensured young people with disabilities—represented by 3 learners in this batch—gained the equal chance to participate in the program.

Nusadamba Patria Ginting, ESG Team Leader at Pan Pacific Indonesia, says “Inclusivity, safety, and comfort in the workplace are the cornerstones of a thriving organization. Pan Pacific is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can excel. We are delighted to see these principles extend beyond our organization as these young talents begin their careers equipped with essential soft skills, this commitment is a part of Pan Pacific-ESG vision mission” said Damba.

As a response to this initiative, Ristanti, Head of the Manpower Office of Wonogiri Regency, echoes these sentiments, stating, “In Wonogiri, doors to employment and work opportunities are open wide. This program embodies hope for the future of Wonogiri region.”

The Life Skill for Work Readiness concluded with a titled “Challenges in the Workplace for Generation Z” on September 7, 2023. The event was attended by over 500 participants online and offline, reaffirming commitment to unleash the potential of the local youth.

For further information, please visit: https://www.instagram.com/kitakerja.id and https://staging.planindonesia.org.

About Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (Plan Indonesia):

Plan International has been working in Indonesia since 1969, officially registered as a national foundation named Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (Plan Indonesia) since 2017. Our organizational purpose is to strive for children’s rights and equality for girls. As part of that effort, we work with youth to ensure their meaningful participation in the decision-making that impacts their lives. Plan Indonesia, as a member of Plan International Inc., has child sponsorship as a core program. The sponsorship program currently assists more than 36,000 marginalized children in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province. This program is committed to delivering the children’s basic rights to access 1) a birth certificate, 2) basic vaccines, 3) clean water, 4) sanitation & hygiene and 5) education. In total, Plan Indonesia’s work on children’s rights and equality takes place in eight provinces and focuses on seven thematic programmes: 1) Stunting Prevention, 2) Elimination of Violence against Children and Youth, 3) Adolescent Health, 4) Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship (YEE), 5) Resilient School, 6) Gender-Responsive Disaster Preparedness and Humanitarian Response and 7) Youth-led Climate Resilience. Plan Indonesia is also taking part in a global campaign, Girls Get Equal, with girls’ leadership as the main focus. Girls Get Equal aims to increase the leadership capacity, agency and social mobility for three million targeted girls, helping them as they claim their equal share of power, freedom and representation.

About PT. Nesia Pan Pacific Clothing:

PT. Nesia Pan Pacific Clothing was established in the year 2015. Our primary area of expertise lies within the Garment Textile sector, where we specialize in the production of ready-made clothing for international export. Furthermore, our company is deeply committed to its social responsibility by actively promoting youth development and fostering employment prospects. We aspire to generate a positive and meaningful impact on the local community through our collaborative initiatives.

Media Contact:

Masajeng Rahmiasri
Programme Communication Specialist for
YEE
+62 817-0040-274
[email protected]

Annisa Pratiwi Iskandar
YEE Communications Consultant
Plan Indonesia
+62 821-2665-5998
[email protected]