Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The accelerating pace of global digital transformation has increased the demand for skilled digital talent. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2022 data, there is an anticipated need for 149 million skilled digital workers by 2025. Rapid technological advancements and the growing integration of digital solutions across various sectors drive this surge in demand.
In response to this pressing need, the Minister of Communication and Informatics, Budi Arie Setiadi, has called on higher education institutions to embrace innovations and advancements in digital technology swiftly. “The education sector needs to promptly adopt the latest developments for the future,” stated Minister Budi Arie. He emphasised the critical role of education in preparing a workforce equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in a digital economy.
Minister Budi Arie highlighted that the top three professions in demand due to digital transformation will be Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning Specialists, Robotics Engineers, and Database Architects in the next five years. “Digital skills rank third among the most sought-after skills globally. About 65% of jobs will require workers to have AI-related skills,” he explained. This projection underscores the urgent need for educational institutions to align their curricula with the evolving demands of the job market.
However, Minister Budi Arie acknowledged several challenges in preparing human resources with the requisite skills and competencies to support digital transformation. “If these challenges are not addressed, there will be 85 million unfilled jobs by 2030,” he warned. The need for more skilled digital talent poses a significant risk to economic growth and technological progress.
To overcome these challenges, Minister Budi Arie proposed the development of three key competencies, which he termed “digital triathletes.” The first competency is digital strategists who can respond to market trends and develop strategic plans for digital initiatives. The second is digital innovators who can drive data-based innovation and create new digital products and services. The third is digital drivers with the agility to initiate and manage strategic collaborations across sectors.
The Ministry of Communication and Informatics has implemented a comprehensive Digital Human Resources Development Programme to prepare a competent national digital talent pool. The programme covers three skill levels: basic, intermediate, and advanced.
At the basic level, the National Digital Literacy Movement (GNLD) aims to enhance the public’s digital skills and promote the productive use of digital spaces. This initiative seeks to build a foundational understanding of digital tools and platforms among the general population.
At the intermediate level, the Digital Talent Scholarship (DTS) provides specialised training in critical areas such as cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Big Data Analytics, and Digital Marketing. These programmes equip participants with the technical skills to pursue careers in high-demand digital fields.
At the advanced level, the Ministry offers the Digital Leadership Academy (DLA), which provides digital leadership training for C-level executives, leaders, and policymakers from both the private and public sectors. This initiative aims to cultivate leaders who can drive digital transformation within their organisations and contribute to national digital strategy.
Additionally, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics offers a Master’s degree scholarship programme in collaboration with renowned universities domestically and internationally. These scholarships focus on themes related to digital transformation and are available to individuals with a background in the digital sector or local start-up entrepreneurs.
“These opportunities are designed to support the development of digital talent that is ready to face the challenges of global digital transformation,” added Minister Budi Arie.
Through collaboration between the government, the education sector, and the private sector, Indonesia aims to produce a competent digital workforce capable of supporting future digital economic growth. This multi-faceted approach highlights a shared commitment to addressing the skills gap and ensuring Indonesia remains competitive in the global digital economy.