JAKARTA – A recent survey by Orbit Future Academy found that 92% of students are unprepared for the world of professional work. Most of them lack/do not have more than 10 of the fundamental skills required for professional work.
As the highest educational institution, the university has the duty of preparing and equipping the younger generation with competencies needed in the world of professional work.
On Monday (20/03), in partnership with Orbit Future Academy (OFA), the Indonesia Economic Forum successfully held a fruitful and thought-invoking roundtable with rectors, vice-rectors, as well as related department heads from Univ. Al-Azhar Indonesia, Institut Teknologi Telkom Purwokerto, Univ. Persada Indonesia (YAI), Univ. Negeri Manado, Institut Bisnis Nusantara, Univ. Moestopo, Univ. Pendidikan Indonesia, Univ. Telkom, Univ. Dian Nusantara, Univ. Andalas, UIN Suska Riau, Univ. Negeri Jakarta, Univ. Singaperbangsa, Sekolah Tinggi Informatika & Komputer Indonesia Malang, serta Sekolah Tinggi Teknologi Bandung.
Also present at the scene were two industry leaders Kingsen Yan (Insignia Ventures) and Steven Yudiyantho (PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk.)
Sessions started with an intimate fireside chat with Dr.-Ing. H. Ilham Akbar Habibie, Dipl.Ing., M.B.A. then continued on with an intimate discussion on concerns and developments about job readiness between attending university representatives and industry leaders. Afterward, Nalin Singh (CEO of Orbit Future Academy) presented the recent findings from an Orbit Jobs survey.
It is found that 40% of respondents say Fresh Graduates need 6 months to one year to prepare themselves to be job-ready. Meanwhile, 45% say they need 3 months to prepare, 5% say they need a few weeks at most, and the last 3% say they would be job ready in less than a week.
From this, it can be concluded that it takes a lot of money, resources, and time for Fresh Graduates to be fully job ready. Meanwhile, the industry continues to be under great pressure due to the latest global and national dynamics.
Therefore, it is essential for universities and industries to find a constructive solution together.
Today’s roundtable has managed to garner several important recommendations from stakeholders in the higher education sector, the industrial sector, and Orbit Future Academy as a skill-based education provider. The results of the roundtable will be submitted as a comprehensive article to the government of Indonesia through the Indonesia Economic Forum.