Navigating Just Energy Transition Through Large-scale Skill Development Program

The challenges posed by climate change are expected to result in significant job shifts across various sectors. These global challenges could lead to 6 million job losses while generating 24 million new jobs (ILO 2018). In Indonesia, vital sectors like agriculture, fisheries, and forestry, employing a third of the workforce, are at risk, with over 60% of the youth potentially unprepared for green economy roles. The proactive development of green skills and jobs is crucial for mitigating the adverse effects of climate change and for propelling nations towards a more competitive, equitable, and sustainable economic trajectory. Thus, in April 2020, the Indonesian government launched Prakerja, a large-scale skill development program designed to prepare the workforce for the future, including equipping them with green skills. As the world gears up to tackle climate change and transition to a green economy, upskilling and reskilling platforms like Indonesia’s Prakerja program, which has trained 17.5 million beneficiaries, play a critical role in preparing the global workforce for this shift and building a climate-resilient economy. Some key lessons that can be drawn from Prakerja encompass establishing a national commitment, implementing an on-demand approach underpinned by dependable and inclusive digital technology, fostering partnerships with multi-stakeholders across all levels, adapting to labor market trends, offering job market insights, maintaining openness to evaluations, and enhancing public awareness of labor issues through various communication channels. However, critical challenge of blue-collar job underrepresentation on job portals must be addressed to broaden the impact of such programs across all employment sectors and promote a more inclusive workforce development strategy.