Here’s a public-private partnership that equips a new workforce to be certified and ready to contribute to Indonesia’s digital transformation journey.

Google Cloud, in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Informatics (Kemenkominfo), unveiled the Google Cloud Career Launchpad initiative in Indonesia. Facilitated by an initial group of 21 Kemenkominfo higher education partners, this cloud learning initiative equips new-to-industry learners with the practical, in-demand cloud skills needed to excel in entry-level cloud roles in today’s technology-driven job market.

(L-R) Hary Budiarto, Head of Human Resource Development, Ministry of Communication and Informatics and Brigitta Ratih E. Aryanti, Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager, Indonesia, Google Cloud

Nezar Patria, Vice Minister, Communications and Informatics, said: “A skilled cloud workforce is needed to accelerate and sustain Indonesia’s digital transformation. This is why we’re partnering with Google Cloud on its Cloud Career Launchpad, an initiative that enables students at higher education institutions to earn nationally-recognized Google Cloud skills credentials at no cost, opening doors to jobs in AI, data analytics, cybersecurity, and cloud engineering. As a start, this initiative aims to benefit 8,500 students over the next 12 months, with plans for expansion to reach even more students in both metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, in line with our strategy for strengthening regional digital ecosystems under the Digital Indonesia Vision (VID) 2045.”

Google Cloud Career Launchpad offers students at the 21 higher education institutions the unique opportunity to earn industry-recognized Google Cloud Certificates and skills badges, by providing them with no-cost access to the following programs and courses:

• Cloud Computing Foundations Certificate: A certificate program for individuals with little to no background in cloud computing. It provides a detailed overview of concepts covering cloud basics, big data, machine learning (ML), and where and how Google Cloud fits in
• Cloud Engineering Certificate: A certificate program that helps individuals build expertise in cloud infrastructure, preparing them for entry-level cloud engineer, cloud solution architect, and cloud DevOps engineer roles
• Cloud Data Analytics Certificate: A certificate program that helps individuals build working knowledge of how to structure, store, access, and visualize data using various cloud tools and integrations, preparing them for entry-level cloud data analyst roles
• Cloud Cybersecurity Certificate: A certificate program that helps individuals build working knowledge of networks, security models, and tools used to assess and address threats, risks, and vulnerabilities, preparing them for entry-level cloud cybersecurity roles
• Cloud Digital Leader skills badge: A course pathway that helps individuals build cloud literacy and learn to distinguish and evaluate the capabilities of Google Cloud and how it can be used to achieve business goals
• Generative AI (Gen AI) skills badge: A three-course pathway that helps individuals build expertise in gen AI. This includes understanding the basics of gen AI and responsible AI; using gen AI to accelerate software development; and integrating multimodal prompts into workflows

Verifiable digital credentials that unlock local and global career opportunities

Google Cloud has partnered with Kemenkominfo to translate students’ learning outcomes (i.e., completed Google Cloud Certificates or skills badges) from Google Cloud Career Launchpad into Digital Talent Scholarship (DTS) e-certificates that are verifiable in real-time. These e-certificates also grant students access to Kemenkominfo’s Diploy (Digital Employment) platform, where they can search for and apply to relevant job and internship openings from leading local employers. DTS is a national competency development training platform provided by Kemenkominfo for Indonesians.

As a start, this initiative aims to benefit 8,500 students over the next 12 months, with plans for expansion to reach even more students in both metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, in line with our strategy for strengthening regional digital ecosystems under the Digital Indonesia Vision (VID) 2045.

Learners can further enhance their career prospects by showcasing their Google Cloud Certificates or skills badges on Credly, a global platform for issuing and validating digital credentials. On Credly, learners can opt into Google Cloud Skills Directory, a searchable database for recruiters and hiring managers to discover and connect with candidates with specific Google Cloud credentials. Learners can also take advantage of Labor Market Insights to discover open job opportunities that match their verified skills, including job titles, locations, employers, and salary ranges.

To boost their confidence and comfort with interviewing for entry-level cloud roles, learners can practice answering interview questions using Interview Warmup, Google’s gen AI-powered interview preparation tool. The tool transcribes answers in real-time, allowing learners to review their responses and gain insights into their communication style (e.g., most-used words, job-related terms, and the talking points they covered) and potential areas for improvement.

Fanly Tanto, Country Director, Indonesia, Google Cloud, said: “Organizations are increasingly looking to drive tangible business outcomes through their deployment of enterprise-grade gen AI solutions at scale, triggering a rise in demand and employment opportunities for skilled cloud talent. To bridge the cloud talent gap, we’re launching Google Cloud Career Launchpad, in partnership with Kemenkominfo, to enable students from 21 higher education institutions to acquire Google Cloud credentials that unlock job opportunities and rank amongst the highest-paying IT certifications globally.

“We look forward to bringing more higher education institutions, government agencies, and nonprofits into this initiative to build a more equitable and inclusive skills-based talent ecosystem, as part of our long-term commitment toward local workforce development and addressing the digital transformation needs of all cities in Indonesia.”

The 21 Kemenkominfo higher education partners include Alauddin Islamic State University (UIN Alauddin); Ar-Raniry State Islamic University (UINAR); Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB); Banjarmasin Polytechnic (POLIBAN); Bina Patria College of Informatics and Computer Management (STMIK Bina Patria); Binus University; Darul ‘Ulum University (UNDAR); Indraprasta PGRI University (UNINDRA); Jambi Polytechnic (POLJAM); Jenderal Soedirman University (UNSOED); Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM); Padjadjaran University (UNPAD); President University; Satya Wacana Christian University (UKSW); Sebelas Maret University (UNS); Syiah Kuala University (USK); Telkom University; Tidar University (UNTIDAR); University of Bina Bangsa Getsempena (UBBG); University of Indonesia (UI); and University of Singaperbangsa Karawang (UNSIKA).

Students from the 21 higher education institutions can now express early interest in the programs and courses under Google Cloud Career Launchpad by registering directly through Kemenkominfo’s DTS platform. These programs and courses will be available starting September 2024.

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About Google Cloud
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(This article was adapted from a press release)