UNP Hosts VOi Youth Forum Ready, Set, Work!

Padang – Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP) was chosen to host the VOi Ready, Set, Work! Youth Forum on Thursday (19/9/2024). The activity, which was held at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences (FIS) UNP, was a product of cooperation between UNP and Voice of Indonesia (VOI) and Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI).

The activity, which is held annually, is an effort to answer the challenges of the increasingly tight global workforce which aims to prepare the younger generation, especially students, to face the industrial revolution 4.0 which disrupts various work sectors.

At this year’s forum with the theme “Ready, Set, Work! Graduated from College What Work?”, UNP Vice Rector I, Dr. Refnaldi, S.Pd, M.Litt, in his speech said that this Youth Forum is an important forum to bring together students from various universities in Padang City to share knowledge. “Challenges and opportunities for youth are very dynamic, especially in facing technological advances and the world of work,” Refnaldi explained.

He also added that several countries such as Japan, Korea and Singapore are now experiencing a crisis of productive population. “The birth rate there is declining, and this is an opportunity for Indonesia, which has a high productive age population. However, to seize high-specification job opportunities abroad, Indonesian workers must have qualified competencies since college.”

Meanwhile, VOI Station Head, Drs. Soleman Yusuf, MM, emphasized the urgency for students to be better prepared to enter the increasingly competitive world of work. According to him, the theme is adjusted to the latest developments, where technology and digital work continue to develop rapidly.

“This is an alarm for students. The world of work is changing rapidly, and we at VOI want to open their eyes to see new opportunities in the era of the industrial revolution 4.0,” said Soleman. “Traditional aspirations such as pilot, policeman, or teacher are now juxtaposed with new jobs such as content creator, digital marketer, and digital analyst.”

Soleman emphasized that students from generation Z (Gen Z) must start preparing skills that are relevant to the needs of the times, especially in the midst of job competition not only domestically, but also at the global level. In the era of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), he continued, job opportunities in Indonesia could be seized by foreign workers. “Foreign nationals who learn Indonesian abroad are also competing for job opportunities here. This is an alarm for us to prepare to compete,” he said.

At the 8th Youth Forum, more than a hundred participants from various universities in Padang, including Andalas University, Imam Bonjol State Islamic University, Ekasakti University, and Bung Hatta University, and Muhammadiyah University of West Sumatra gathered at UNP. The event was filled with talk shows presenting speakers from various sectors, such as Ahmad Hafizd (Talenthub), Andrean Alberto (CEO of Naktaraso), and Dr. Mira Hasti Hasmira, S.H., M.Si. (UNP Communication Science Lecturer). This activity was more lively with traditional art performances and student creations.

Through interactive discussions, the speakers provided valuable insights related to the opportunities and challenges faced by Gen Z in the world of work. They emphasized the importance of adaptive skills in the era of technological disruption and mental readiness to face increasingly fierce global competition.

In an atmosphere full of enthusiasm, VOI’s Youth Forum succeeded in building new awareness for students. This event not only motivated, but also enriched their insights about the importance of preparing themselves to enter the world of work with relevant skills.

In the midst of the challenges faced by Indonesia in opening new jobs, students are now reminded: the future of the world of work is in their hands, and readiness is the key to competing in the global era.

The event was attended by the Secretary of UNP University, Head of LP3S, Head of LP2M, Head of BPMI UNP, Deans and Vice Deans of UNP, Academic Director, Director of General & Finance, Director of Human Resources, Director of Planning & Cooperation, and Head of Sub-Directorate of Cooperation. (ab/Humas)