Bridging the Gap Between Talent and Job Market Through Real-World Experience.
Merging Academia and Industry for a Stronger Indonesian Workforce
Here's what's going on right now:
As we navigate the intricate tapestry of Indonesia's evolving economy—forecasted to be a global juggernaut by 2030—we confront a design conundrum of unparalleled scale: a robust GDP, expanding at 5% annually, juxtaposed against a burgeoning talent gap, exemplified by 100,000 unfilled tech jobs.
What's the missing link? Why do academically prepared graduates struggle to find their footing in a market ripe with opportunities?
The challenge transcends academic curricula and penetrates the very architecture of educational experience. With a nominal salary increase of merely 4%, it's evident that the present educational framework is misaligned with industry requisites.
Indonesia's unique topography—comprising thousands of islands where universities are strewn like stars across the archipelago—escalates the design challenge. Crafting an inclusive, interoperable system that fuses academia and industry across this expansive terrain requires nothing short of design alchemy.
In partnership with the Indonesian Ministry of Education, Research, and Technology, our team at GovTech Edu took on a big challenge. We designed a flexible system that blends regular classroom learning with real-life work experiences like internships and research projects. This new approach aims to make education more practical and help students get ready for the job market.
The ultimate goal? To iterate and scale a model that elevates the UX (User Experience) of education, amplifies the employability quotient of Indonesian graduates, and by extension,
fortifies the nation's human capital portfolio for the long haul.
My focus was twofold:
facilitating industry-student interactions and optimizing user experience. I designed an end-to-end "Company" platform that not only allows businesses to publish opportunities but also integrates effortlessly with external Applicant Tracking Systems like Kinobi. This multi-faceted platform ensures that opportunities are managed seamlessly, both within and outside our ecosystem. In addition to laying the groundwork for the platform, I played a key role in conceptualizing its Version 2, where AI functionalities were introduced. These enhancements were carefully designed to elevate user experience, adding a layer of sophistication and delight that sets our platform apart. My goal throughout has been to create a user-centric design that offers a seamless and delightful experience for all stakeholders, thereby contributing to the broader objective of bridging the talent gap in Indonesia.
My contribution
As the Product Designer
Year
2022-2023
The team
Elvaretta Angelina Fariz Mudayana Davin Shaun Nicolas Bunjamin Muhammad Faris Fatahillah Metaniawati Limanto Lody Andrian
Process
Ideation Phase
The journey began with a series of brainstorming sessions, where we embraced design thinking methodologies to identify critical pain points and potential solutions. I collaborated closely with interdisciplinary teams, combining insights from data analysts, developers, and educators, to conceptualize the initial design framework for the "MBKM Mandiri" platform.
Stakeholder Management
Simultaneous to the ideation phase, I actively engaged with key stakeholders, including industry partners and students, to gather requirements and set expectations. Regular meetings and transparent communication ensured that the project remained aligned with the diverse set of needs from both academia and industry.
Research
Once the initial concepts were in place, we dived into rigorous research. Leveraging tools like surveys, A/B testing, and in-depth interviews, we amassed a wealth of user insights. This data was invaluable in guiding the design directions and identifying feature prioritization.
User Testing
Armed with refined prototypes, we moved to the user testing phase. Both remote and in-person sessions were conducted to gauge the platform's usability and intuitiveness. Feedback loops were short, allowing for rapid iterations and adjustments based on real-world usage.
Retro-Session and Iteration
Post-launch, we organized retrospective sessions to assess what worked and what didn't. The team came together to discuss KPIs, user feedback, and analytics. These retrospectives were crucial in shaping the Version 2 of the platform, where we integrated AI functionalities to elevate the user experience.
Throughout this comprehensive design process, my role as a Product Designer was not just limited to crafting aesthetically pleasing interfaces but also to ensure that the platform's design was backed by solid research, data, and stakeholder inputs. The end goal was always clear: create a seamless and delightful experience that aligns with the real-world needs of industry partners and students alike.
Outcome
Aim of the Outcome
With the platform set for launch in November 2023, our primary aim is to catalyze meaningful engagements between industry and the burgeoning talent pool of Indonesian graduates. Given the annual yield of approximately 800,000 to 1 million university graduates,
our platform aims to serve as a pivotal bridge to address the glaring talent-to-market gap.
Economic Context
Indonesia's economy is on an upward trajectory, with a projected GDP growth rate of 5% annually. As one of the rising economic powers in Southeast Asia, Indonesia faces the dual challenge of harnessing its demographic dividend while ensuring sustainable development. In this macro-economic landscape, our platform aligns with the country's broader vision to fortify its human capital and ensure long-term economic viability.
Industry Projections
Industries like technology, healthcare, and renewable energy are fast-growing sectors in Indonesia, with an estimated 100,000 job vacancies in the tech sector alone. Our platform aims to be the connective tissue between these booming industries and the skilled workforce that is freshly graduating every year.
