Indonesia stands at a pivotal moment in its economic journey.

With its "Indonesia Emas 2045" (Golden Indonesia) vision, the government has set an ambitious target: to position the country among the world’s top five economies by its centennial in 2045.

Achieving this requires not just economic growth but the creation of 20 million new jobs to accommodate its expanding working-age population.

A surge in career development opportunities

At the heart of this transformation lies a crucial challenge: bridging the gap between education and industry to develop a highly skilled, job-ready workforce.

This is where Jobstreet by SEEK’s #NextMillionJobs campaign comes in, aligning its mission with the nation’s workforce aspirations by connecting jobseekers with employers, particularly small and medium enterprises yet to adopt digital hiring.

JobStreet by SEEK's initiative addresses Indonesia's employment challenges by offering unlimited free job postings, particularly targeting SMEs.

JobStreet also aims to bridge the gap between jobseekers and employers, especially in regions beyond Java.

This approach encourages SMEs to adopt digital hiring practices, thereby expanding the talent pool and improving recruitment efficiency. The initiative has already led to a 60% increase in job postings outside Java within five months of its mid-2024 launch.

JobStreet employs a "freemium" model, attracting businesses to its platform with free services and potentially converting them to premium offerings for more challenging roles.

This strategy not only supports the creation of quality job opportunities but also contributes to Indonesia's goal of becoming the world's fifth-largest economy by 2045.

"We cannot wait until 2045; we need to start now," said Sawitri Soedarno, Country Head of Marketing for JobStreet Indonesia.

"That's why we have this #NextMillionJobs movement. It's a cause with a big purpose in Indonesia."

Bridging Indonesia's labour market gaps

Labour market inefficiencies remain a pressing issue in Indonesia. In 2023, for example, the Ministry of Manpower reported 463,000 job vacancies, yet many remained unfilled due to skills mismatches, inefficient hiring processes, and a lack of accessible employment information.

This problem is especially pronounced in the industrial sector, where businesses struggle to find qualified talent, while university graduates often grapple with securing jobs that align with their education.

Recognising these challenges, Jobstreet by SEEK is positioning itself as a key enabler of workforce development.

That SEEK’s AI-driven technology facilitates a faster, more precise job-matching process helps employers connect with suitable candidates efficiently.

The initiative is not just about job placements but about future-proofing Indonesia’s workforce and ensuring sustainable economic progress.

Indonesia strives for workforce growth

Officials believe the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision prioritises human resource competitiveness, infrastructure development, and technological advancement.

To turn this vision into action, #NextMillionJobs should be able to strengthen collaboration between the government, private sector, and educational institutions and, ultimately, prepare Indonesia's workforce for the future of work.

Jobstreet by SEEK is building a collective effort to expand employment opportunities and directly supporting Indonesia’s long-term economic aspirations by engaging businesses, jobseekers, and the wider community.

There are layers of complexities in Indonesia's labour force challenges, however.

For one, as industries embrace digital transformation, technology is reshaping the job market quickly and some workers, though not all, are trying to keep pace.

The Decoding Global Talent 2024: Gen AI Edition report highlights that 38% of Indonesian workers already use AI tools regularly, underscoring the growing role of technology in employment. The percentage, however, is still relatively low considering how neighbours in Southeast Asia are rising up in global indexes.

Meanwhile, the Decoding Global Talent 2024: Worker Mobility Trends report reveals that 67% of Indonesian professionals are more interested in working abroad than locally. The trend reflects concerns over local job quality and career progression.

Indonesia also faces structural economic hurdles, including the Middle Income Trap, where economic growth stagnates due to limited industrial diversification, and 'brain drain,' where skilled professionals leave for better opportunities overseas.

In its own unique way, the #NextMillionJobs initiative tackles these issues by helping businesses offer more high-quality local employment opportunities, fostering a job market that incentivises talent to remain in Indonesia.

Strengthening Indonesia’s job market

Jobstreet by SEEK’s campaign is not a solo endeavour. It thrives on collaboration between businesses, government agencies, and jobseekers. The initiative aims to:

✅ Provide free and secure job postings for companies nationwide

✅ Boost regional economic growth in Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Bali, and Papua

✅ Combat fraudulent job listings that exploit jobseekers

✅ Enhance job matching efficiency using AI-driven recruitment solutions

Indonesia’s journey to becoming a global economic powerhouse hinges on unlocking the full potential of its workforce.

With the Indonesia Emas 2045 vision front and centre, Jobstreet by SEEK’s #NextMillionJobs serves as a stepping stone towards a future where job opportunities are abundant, accessible, and empowering for all Indonesians.