PELITA Programme for Maluku Utara Youth

Sri Ayuni was lost after graduating from high school. Without funds to pursue higher education but unwilling to become a labourer with only a high school diploma, her teacher suggested she join the PELITA programme, short for Peningkatan Keahlian dan Keterampilan Pemuda (Youth Skill Enhancement). She immediately enrolled in the third batch of the PELITA programme, focusing on Mandarin. She now interns at Harita Nickel Clinic as a Mandarin translator, specifically for foreign workers. ‘I joined this programme with no cost. In fact, I receive a stipend,’ Sri said. Fikri Batman, a participant in PELITA’s first batch, now operates heavy machinery such as wheel loaders. ‘This programme has greatly helped us enhance our skills to meet industry demands,’ said Fikri, now employed at Harita. ‘We hope the programme continues so our younger peers can benefit.’ The PELITA programme, initiated by Harita Nickel in 2023, has trained dozens of skilled workers on Obi Island. ‘The focus is on helping Obi Island youth without technical skills develop into competent workers ready for industry,’ said Latif Supriadi, Executive Vice President of External Relations at Harita Nickel. Currently, PELITA is in its fifth batch, collaborating with the Ternate Vocational Training and Productivity Centre (BPVP) under Indonesia’s Ministry of Manpower. This batch’s initial training focuses on 16 residential AC technicians, designed to meet the demand for maintaining air conditioning units in both domestic and industrial settings. Previously, in batch four, Harita Nickel trained 40 youths as overhead crane operators. Latif explained the three-month programme was comprehensive, covering technical skills, physical training, and work discipline. ‘We want to ensure participants are not only skilled but also have the right mindset and work ethic aligned with industry needs,’ he said. Batch three took a different approach, addressing cross-cultural communication needs. ‘We conducted Mandarin training for youth in Kawasi and Soligi villages,’ Latif said. The six-to-seven-month programme targeted HSK level 3 certification, with 22 participants achieving it. For batches one and two, the focus was on operating heavy machinery like overhead cranes and wheel loaders. In batch two, previously unskilled or daily labourers received operator licenses and were ready for professional work after training. The Ministry of Manpower praised private sector involvement in enhancing workforce competencies to meet industry demands. ‘Private sector contributions have been significant in creating competent local workers,’ according to a ministry statement. In 2025, companies with training centres trained 91,244 participants, private vocational training institutions (LPKs) trained 52,827, and associations trained nearly 400,000. ‘These figures clearly show the private sector’s role in training local workers.’ Harita Nickel hopes PELITA participants can pursue their interests, whether in industry or entrepreneurship. ‘Our success as a company also depends on growing alongside the local community,’ Latif said.