From Skills Mismatches to Solutions: Suryo Adi Rakhmawan’s Approach to Workforce Challenges

As a Statistician at Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Suryo Adi Rakhmawan has been at the forefront of tackling workforce challenges in Indonesia. His focus on labour market analysis and statistical innovation plays a key role in supporting the country’s development.

‘My primary motivation has always been to ensure that labour market tools accurately reflect Indonesia’s dynamic and complex workforce,’ he explained. ‘By aligning our surveys with the needs of the government, industry, and other stakeholders, we can support informed decision-making that benefits both workers and employers.’

In 2023, Suryo participated in the Aus4ASEAN Short Course on Skills Forecasting for the Fourth Industrial Revolution at Griffith University. The opportunity motivated him to explore new ways of addressing workforce challenges in Indonesia.

Experiencing Inclusivity and Support in Australia

As someone with a partial hearing disability, Suryo requested adjustments to support his participation in the Short Course. These included a request for seating at the front of the classroom and access to the learning materials before class.

Suryo felt that the overall environment was incredibly supportive. He appreciated that the university was proactive in facilitating his needs, even if seating at the front couldn’t always be arranged.

‘Australia is a very inclusive country, both in terms of public facilities and education, especially in the way the learning process is conducted,’ he said. ‘The proactive support helped me adapt and stay engaged.’

The Aus4ASEAN Short Course was not only an educational experience but also a significant networking opportunity for Suryo. The course brought together professionals across ASEAN, each contributing unique perspectives on workforce challenges.

‘Exchanging updates and seeking advice from experts in similar fields has been crucial. It’s not just about professional growth but also about fostering a regional community focused on common challenges,’ Suryo said.

His networking with fellow Indonesians also proved beneficial. Conversations with fellow awardees, particularly those from the Ministry of Labour, helped him refine the methodologies for one of his projects.

First-Ever Tool Initiated During the Short Course

Although the Short Course did not require participants to complete specific projects, Suryo took the initiative to propose two innovative ideas aimed at solving labour market issues in Indonesia.

The first project aimed to investigate how mismatches in the Indonesian labour market, where individuals often end up in roles that do not align with their qualifications, impact productivity. This project has since evolved into a comprehensive study, offering insights into the challenges and solutions for Indonesia’s workforce.

Suryo was supported by Adjunct Professor Iyanatul Islam^[1], a course leader and an esteemed academic at Griffith University. Prof. Islam's expertise in labour market analysis and statistical methodologies proved to be an invaluable resource for Suryo's research.

‘I reached out to Prof. Islam during the Short Course to discuss my research on the impact of social assistance on employment in Indonesia. He provided detailed feedback and encouraged me to investigate how vocational training affects employment, particularly for women,’ he explained.

This collaboration bore immediate results. Inspired by Prof. Islam's insights, Suryo conducted additional analyses using data from the National Labour Force Survey. He found that vocational education significantly boosts women’s employment opportunities.

This insight inspired Suryo to further his research on the Recruitment Cost Index (RCI) and explore broader studies on skill mismatches. As the team leader at BPS for this project, he has applied what he has learned to develop Indonesia’s first-ever RCI, aligning it with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Gaining Insights into Migrant Workers

The second project Suryo proposed involved creating a digital dashboard to track skill mismatches across industries. The dashboard would allow users to visualise disparities between workforce skills and market demands.

Initially, it was planned as a collaboration between the Indonesian Ministry of Labour (Kemnaker), the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Board (BP2MI), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu), and the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas). However, as Suryo moved to the international migration team at BPS in late 2023, the project evolved to focus on Indonesian migrant workers.

The updated platform integrates data on migrant workers, including their education levels and the types of jobs they secure overseas. While access to the dashboard is currently limited to ministries and institutions in Indonesia, it has already been used to influence policy decisions at various ministries. The technical team is continuing its development to ensure the platform is expanded and made sustainable for broader use in the future.

Suryo is preparing a paper for the prestigious World Statistics Congress^[2] in the Netherlands in 2025, where he plans to present his findings on skill mismatches among migrant workers.

Overcoming Challenges in Data Integration

Although the Short Course equipped Suryo with valuable skills, applying these lessons in Indonesia came with challenges. One major hurdle was the lack of inter-agency cooperation in data sharing.

‘In Australia, integrating data across ministries is seamless because everyone understands its importance. In Indonesia, however, there’s often resistance due to differing priorities and perspectives,’ he reflected.

To overcome this, Suryo applied the negotiation and communication skills he developed during the course.

‘I realised the importance of patience and building consensus. It’s not just about presenting data; it’s about helping stakeholders see the bigger picture and how collaboration benefits everyone involved,’ he shared.

This approach proved essential for advancing projects like the RCI, which required input from multiple organisations, including Kemnaker, Bappenas, the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin), and international bodies such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Suryo's ability to negotiate and communicate effectively not only facilitated collaboration but also enhanced his leadership within BPS.

‘These skills have been invaluable in leading various teams at BPS, such as the Inequality Assessment in the CRVS (Civil Registration and Vital Statistics) team and the HR team,’ he shared.

His dedication and leadership have been further recognised through prestigious awards, including the Insan Statistik Teladan 2024 and Duta Korpri 2024 awards. These achievements underscore the impact of his persistence and collaborative approach.

‘The lessons I learned in Australia about collaboration and integration have kept me motivated. It’s a slow process, but it’s worth the effort.’

Suryo’s positive experience in the Australia Awards program has inspired him to pursue further studies in Australia.

‘I never considered continuing my studies in Australia,’ he said. ‘But after such an amazing experience, I’m now thinking of pursuing a PhD there in the near future.’