Two Years Unemployed, Hendi Set to Work in Australia After Enhancing Skills

BEKASI, KOMPAS.com — Hendi Dewantara (28), a resident of North Cikarang, Bekasi Regency, is expanding his employment opportunities abroad through vocational training. He has successfully risen from a period of unemployment and is now preparing to build his career in Australia. After graduating from high school in 2015, Hendi faced difficulties in finding work. “Finding a job in Indonesia is tough right now, especially without solid skills,” Hendi said when met by Kompas.com at the Bekasi City Vocational Training and Productivity Centre (BBPVP), on Thursday (9/4/2026). For two years, he struggled to find employment. According to him, companies rarely accept high school graduates without specific competencies. “This is why I faced many rejections from companies,” he said. Refusing to give up, Hendi used his unemployment period to take English language training. This decision became a turning point in his career journey. “The free time when not working is better used to upgrade skills and pursue hobbies,” he stated. Those English skills then led him to his first job as a frontliner in customer service. He even stayed in that position for three years until his contract ended in mid-March 2026. The programme lasted 18 days, followed by certification from the National Professional Certification Agency (BNSP), making the total training duration nearly one month. Hendi explained that the training began with theoretical learning before practical sessions, including basic cooking techniques and the use of kitchen equipment. In addition to technical skills, Hendi also received training in soft skills.