XLSMART is tying digital training directly to employment in a new program designed to close one of Indonesia’s most persistent workforce gaps. Through Future Ready, the company is positioning skills development as a path that can lead beyond certificates and into real jobs.
The program was developed with the Ministry of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia and focuses on the mismatch between digital industry needs and available talent. That mismatch remains a major issue as more sectors accelerate digital transformation and demand workers who can contribute immediately.
Why the program matters
Indonesia’s demographic advantage is large, with around 68 percent of the population in productive age groups. But that potential does not automatically translate into a workforce that matches industry requirements.
Several studies cited in the program’s launch show that about 90 percent of future jobs will require basic digital skills. At the same time, three out of 10 companies in Indonesia are still struggling to find digital talent that is ready to work.
| Key Workforce Gap | Reported Figure | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Population in productive age | 68% | Large labor pool, but not automatically job-ready |
| Future jobs needing basic digital skills | 90% | Digital literacy is becoming essential across sectors |
| Companies struggling to find ready digital talent | 3 in 10 | Industry demand is still not being met evenly |
The demand is also becoming more specialized. Skills in Artificial Intelligence, data analytics, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and network technology continue to be sought after as businesses speed up digital adoption.
Learning to earning, not training alone
Future Ready is built as an integrated digital learning ecosystem, not just a classroom-style training program. Participants can move through training, certification, mentoring, internship opportunities, and access to real job openings.
That approach is meant to create a clear pathway from learning to earning. In other words, the program is designed to turn skills development into employment outcomes, rather than stopping at completion certificates.
| Future Ready Components | What Participants Get | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Training | Structured digital learning | Build market-relevant skills |
| Certification | Completion credentials | Validate learning outcomes |
| Mentoring | Guidance from program support | Strengthen readiness for work |
| Internships and job access | Exposure to industry pathways | Connect training to employment |
Rajeev Sethi, President Director and CEO of XLSMART, said digital transformation depends on more than network quality. He emphasized that human resource quality is equally important, especially when training opportunities already exist but are not always linked to available jobs.
Based on that view, Future Ready has been developed as a flagship CSR program for XLSMART. The initiative combines learning, upskilling, certification, mentoring, internships, and job opportunities in one sequence.
Targeting 1,000 job placements
The company’s main success measure is not the number of people who enroll, but how many can move into internships or jobs. XLSMART is targeting at least 1,000 young talents in Indonesia to gain work opportunities through collaboration with industry partners.
It is also aiming to reach 1 million young talents through the Sisternet application and the Future Ready website. In addition, the company wants to issue 10,000 completion certificates through the program.
| Program Target | Figure | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Young talents entering internships or jobs | 1,000 | Employment outcomes |
| Young talents reached through digital platforms | 1 million | Broader participation |
| Completion certificates | 10,000 | Learning completion scale |
Government and industry backing
The launch drew support from the Ministry of Manpower. Minister of Manpower Prof. Yassierli praised XLSMART for connecting competency improvement with industry needs.
He said the future of work requires cooperation between government, business, education institutions, and other stakeholders. From that perspective, Future Ready is seen as one way to produce more adaptable and competitive digital talent.
Inside the company, Director and Chief People Officer Jeremiah Ratadhi said every stage of the program is built around real and changing industry needs. The company has also started working with strategic partners such as ZTE and Eka Tjipta Foundation.
XLSMART plans to expand that collaboration further by bringing in more technology companies, educational institutions, communities, and learning platforms. The broader effort reflects a belief that workforce preparation now has to move together with infrastructure development and digital access.
The company says it continues to strengthen network quality and expand 5G Blanket Coverage in various regions across Indonesia. In that context, Future Ready is meant to ensure that digital access is matched by digital skills, so more people can move toward clearer career paths after training.
The partnership between XLSMART and the Ministry of Manpower was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding. That step underlines a wider push to make national talent development more structured, with job readiness treated as part of Indonesia’s digital transformation agenda.
