MUNGKID, SM Network – Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Dekranasda is attempting to develop crafts among the millennial youth generation to continue creating in the field of crafts through the Entrepreneurship Skills Education Program (PKW) in collaboration with the Directorate of Courses and Training, Directorate General of Vocational Education, Ministry of Education and Culture.

The program aims to provide knowledge, skills, attitudes, and entrepreneurial mindset through courses and training to participants in accordance with the needs of the business and industrial world (DU/DI) and/or the market. Additionally, it aims to motivate and create new business ventures as well as provide mentoring to help them grow and partner with Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), businesses, capital, marketing, and related institutions.

Penny Rahayu, Daily Chair of Dekranasda Central Java, representing the Chair of Dekranasda Central Java Province, Atikhoh Ganjar Pranowo, stated that amid this pandemic, money and opportunities still exist, but priorities have changed.

"So we must adjust our business models and ventures by involving many existing communities,” explained Penny.

She mentioned that with the new entrepreneurship skills education and craft training, it is hoped that SMEs will be motivated to become creative, innovative, and productive in developing their businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic, enabling them to compete with foreign products currently in the market. "We hope to be proud of Indonesian products,” she expressed.

Meanwhile, Endang Budi Karya, Head of the New Business Division of Dekranas, explained that this training and course program not only enhances human resource capacity but also provides government assistance funds in the form of startup capital to develop new craft entrepreneurship centers supporting tourism in the five Super Priority Tourism Destinations: Lake Toba, Borobudur, Mandalika, Likupang, and Labuan Bajo.

"The Entrepreneurship Skills Education Program (PKW) is also an effort to address school dropouts and those who do not continue to higher education levels by providing alternative services through vocational education, courses, and training,” she said.

Finally, Nanny Hadi Tjahjanto, Deputy Daily Chair 2 of Dekranas, stated that the curriculum of this training is intended to open access for the millennial generation to gain knowledge and training in the craft field. "We hope this training will give rise to new entrepreneurs who will become Indonesia's pride,” said Nanny.

It is known that the PKW activities at Borobudur KSPN were attended by 200 participants from the Magelang Regency and City areas. The PKW activities involved 7 learning centers from formal and non-formal education providers as field implementers, including PKBM Ngudi Ilmu Salaman Magelang, SMK Al Huda Salaman Magelang, SMK Syubbanul Wathon Tegalrejo Magelang, SMK Maarif Salam Magelang, Sanggar Kinnara Kinnari Borobudur, the Family of Police Children of the Central Java Regional Police Resort Magelang, and the Nahdlatul Ulama Economic Institution PCNU Magelang Regency.

In this program, Dekranas also conducted a series of activities in synergy with the Ministry of Transportation, training community members interested in pursuing crafts, especially those who already have craft businesses.

Mentoring activities for the community were held in Gunung Kidul Regency, DIY. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources conducted gemstone craft training in Bandung. The Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs provided training on natural dyeing for fabrics and weaving in the five Super Priority Tourism Destinations for SMEs. Lastly, PT. Telkom conducted entrepreneurial training for millennials, especially students, in the five Super Priority Tourism Destinations.