Description:
This report is part of the Analytical
and Advisory Activities (AAA) program focusing on the
engagement area of 'skills development,
competitiveness, and knowledge economy' and is based on
several background papers and technical notes written on the
characteristics of youth employment and the role of
education and skills in the school-to-work transition in
Indonesia. The slow transition of graduates is explored in
detail in section two, which pays special attention to
differences by education levels. It highlights the
difficulties of senior secondary school graduates in
accessing good quality jobs and the high unemployment rate
that they face upon graduation. Given these worrisome signs
of young senior secondary school graduates (considered the
lower tier of 'skilled' workers) and expected
increases in the transition to senior secondary education
(which are already rising rapidly), section three focuses on
the senior secondary school level. Seeking to shed some
light on the question of whether senior secondary education
is providing the right skills for its students, the section
explores the employment profile of vocational (SMK) vs.
general (SMA) graduates and, drawing on a recent survey of
employers, argues against a drastic increase in the
proportion of vocational students, highlighting instead the
need to adjust the skill base of senior secondary school
graduates. Based on the findings, section four explores ways
to meet the demand for skills through changes in senior
secondary school, strengthening of the non-formal training
system and providing targeted entrepreneurship programs.
Finally, section five provides some overall recommendations
going forward.