Ministry of Communication and Information to Establish Digital Talent Development Centers in 34 Provinces

Jakarta, INTI - The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kominfo) is taking strategic steps to address the digital talent gap in Indonesia by establishing Digital Talent Centers (DTC) in 34 provinces. Hary Budiarto, Head of the Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM) at Kominfo, revealed the purpose of the DTCs during the Ngopi Bareng event at the Press Room of the Kominfo Office, Central Jakarta, on Friday (05/07/2024).

Addressing the Digital Talent Gap

“We have UPTs (Technical Implementation Units) in several provinces such as Cikarang, Bandung, Jogja, Surabaya, Banjarmasin, Medan, Makassar, Manado. These UPTs will be converted into DTCs,” explained Hary Budiarto. According to him, the establishment of these DTCs aims to address the digital talent gap in Indonesia.

Data on Digital Talent Supply and Demand

Based on studies up to 2030, Indonesia has a supply of digital talent amounting to 9,034,849 people. This figure is calculated from the graduates of formal education in the digital sector from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. “Meanwhile, the demand for digital talent by 2030 will reach 12,092,110 people. This means we need around 2.7 million more digital talents,” said Hary.

Phases of DTC Development

The Head of BPSDM Kominfo emphasized that the development of DTCs will be carried out in stages according to the availability of budget. The development will be divided into three priorities. “There are regions in priority 1, priority 2, and priority 3. Priority 3 regions are already quite advanced, with a smaller gap and better progress in filling the talent gaps,” he explained.

Digital Talent Center in Cikarang

Currently, the operational DTC is in Cikarang, West Java, built with a grant from the South Korean government. The Cikarang DTC meets the minimum requirements, such as having dormitories, coworking spaces, laboratories, classrooms, auditoriums, training centers, and sports areas. “The dormitory has 150 rooms, each with 2 beds. This can accommodate 300 participants for training sessions,” he said.

Planned DTC in Medan

Kominfo will soon establish a DTC in Medan, North Sumatra. The location was chosen because of the existing Technical Implementation Unit and available land. “The DTC in Medan will be built using our own funds, unlike Cikarang, which was funded by a grant from the South Korean government. The design will be futuristic,” Hary explained.

Importance of Digital Talent Development Centers

The establishment of DTCs in various regions is expected to accelerate the development of digital talent in Indonesia and help reduce the digital gap. This aligns with the government’s target to produce competent digital talents ready to compete in the digital economy era.

Latest Data and Facts

According to the latest data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the number of internet users in Indonesia reached 196 million in 2023, up from 175 million in 2021. This figure indicates a significant potential for digital talent development across the archipelago. The Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association (APJII) report also noted that internet penetration in several regions, including Aceh, has reached 72% of the total population, indicating that these regions have great potential to become digital development hubs in Indonesia.

Invitation to Attend INTI 2024

To support these digital talent development efforts, we invite everyone to attend and witness the Indonesia Technology and Innovation 2024 exhibition at JI-EXPO from August 12-14, 2024. INTI 2024 is the largest technology and innovation exhibition in Indonesia. More information can be found at this link.

With the presence of various latest innovations and technologies at INTI 2024, it is hoped that the community will be inspired and motivated to continue developing digital skills and contribute to building a more advanced digital ecosystem in Indonesia.