Overview
Children born into families, who for generations were resigned to a life of poverty, have little hope of breaking the cycle of poverty unless they have access to education. YUM has developed a wide-range of educational solutions including vocational training centers, community libraries, scholarships and sponsorships.
Vocational Training Centers
Based on a 2019 estimate by the International Labor Organization Indonesia placed second highest among South East Asian countries for unemployment of youth aged 15 to 24 years old. Low levels of education and a lack of adequate skills are the main contributing factors to the high unemployment rate. For these reasons, we believe that providing job readiness training and soft skills for youth would give the required support for them in their path to becoming productive adults.
Cipanas, West Java
Established in 2009 and situated in the Cipanas YUM Village, the center provides free skills training to close to 450 students every year. Most of the youth living in the area do not have the opportunity to continue their education to a higher level. Many of them have to work in order to help their families, however without proper skills, the only type of work that they can find is unskilled labour. The Vocational Training Center in Cipanas provides free 3-month classes in English, Computer, Sewing as well as workshops in Financial Literacy and Job Seeking Skills.
After I graduated from school, I tried to apply for work but was never successful. I then decided to follow the Computer Class at the VTC and after I got my certificate, I then was able to get a job at the Palace Hotel in Cipanas.
Amar, former student at VTC Cipanas
Bukit Batu, Central Kalimantan
In July 2011, YUM became a member of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI). YUM’s commitment to the Clinton Global Initiative was to establish a Technical Training Centre in Rural Indonesia. YUM was honoured to have this special commitment announced on stage during the CGI Annual Meeting in New York, as an exemplary approach to addressing challenges in Education. The YUM Vocational Training Centre in Central Kalimantan is operational since mid-2013; and has since received accreditation from the Provincial Education Board. This training centre is the only one providing skills training and other life skills workshops in a sub-district covering 19,000 inhabitants. The YUM Vocational Training Centre (VTC) is a direct response to the need to prepare the youth in a rural area such as Bukit Batu, for formal employment.
YUM provides: 1) certified and accredited English and Computer short courses and 2) accredited 18-months Hospitality & Tourism diploma, both of which are enhanced by Job Seeking Skills and Financial Literacy workshops. It can accommodate up to 700 short-term (3-month) trainees every year, mostly young people and women.