Kominfo launched a Data Science for Kids training, in collaboration with Mastercard and YCAB Foundation.The need for qualified human resources in the digital and technology field continues to increase, including data analysts and scientists. The Future of Jobs by the World Economic Forum (WEF) estimates that in 2025, 97 million new professions will emerge in various industrial sectors in the world. [1]. Digitization trends, such as cloud computing, big data, and e-commerce, will continue to become a priority in the world of work. Currently, the need for data practitioners in Indonesia has increased to 9 million data practitioners. Given the imbalance between needs and human resources in the data practitioners field, early intervention is needed for the younger generation to support the creation of competent data practitioners. Contributing to meeting this need, Kominfo launched a Data Science for Kids training, in collaboration with Mastercard and YCAB Foundation.
Marking the launch of Data Science for Kids, coinciding with National Children’s Day, Kominfo, Mastercard, and YCAB Foundation held a launch event with the theme “Preparing Indonesian Children to Become Data Practitioners” on Saturday, July 23rd, 2022. The event was held at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition, BSD City, intended for elementary school students who are currently in grades 4 to 6. The training will begin with an introduction to STEM materials which is expected to inspire students to join and explore roles in the STEM field. After that, they will learn about data science in more focused and detailed training. The data science training will include an introduction to data science, data analysis, data science models, and interpretation of data analysis results.
As a concrete step, this training involves the direct role of data practitioners, hence YCAB Foundation collaborates with Generation Girl in preparing training materials that are comprehensive, fun for children, and in line with the needs of today’s industry.
“In implementing the Digital Talent Scholarship, Kominfo collaborates with many training partners who are committed to developing digital human resources in Indonesia. We collaborate with Mastercard and YCAB Foundation, which also have a vision and program related to introducing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields to children. With collaboration, of course, more and more Indonesians will receive digital skills training services,” mentioned Head of the Research and Human Resources Development Agency of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics, Hary Budiarto.
Mastercard and YCAB Foundation’s collaboration to inspire young people to have a career in STEM has been running since 2020 through the Mastercard Girls4Tech program. This program is one of the flagship programs of Mastercard Academy 2.0 to prepare 100,000 digital talents for Indonesia’s digital transformation period until 2023. Not only reaching students but teachers are also equipped with STEM recognition skills. For 3 years running, Mastercard Academy 2.0 has managed to reach more than 113,000 beneficiaries in Indonesia.
Wibawa Prasetyawan, Vice President & Head of Account Management – Financial Institutions, Mastercard said: “As Indonesia’s digital economy grows rapidly, there is an urgent need for the public and private sectors to come together to create solutions and initiatives that can bridge the digital divide and create opportunities. the same for all. Mastercard is proud to collaborate with the Ministry of Communication and Informatics and the YCAB Foundation to foster the interest of school-age children, especially girls, in developing skills in STEM fields that will help them become future leaders. This collaboration is also part of Mastercard’s global commitment to make 1 billion people and 50 million micro and small businesses part of the digital economy by 2025. Globally, Mastercard has reached more than 1.5 million students in 44 countries, exceeding its initial target of reaching 200,000 students by 2020.”
In line with YCAB Foundation’s passion for empowering the younger generation, YCAB Foundation sees the importance of supporting Indonesian students in developing their interests and talents in the STEM field, especially inspiring them to have a career in the field of data practitioners.
“Over the past 2 years, we have seen the need to prepare Indonesian children to be interested in the STEM world. Currently, education in the field of technology opens up great opportunities for the younger generation and has a high potential to break poverty and make them independent in the future. With Data Science for Kids, we hope this training can be one of the solutions to meet the quota for digital talent in Indonesia,” stated Susi Hermijanto, Chief Operating Officer of YCAB Foundation.
The launch of the Data Science for Kids aimed at Indonesian students is expected to be a catalyst for developing interests and talents in the STEM field, especially data science. This provision is also expected to produce independent and competent young talents in the future.