Denni Puspa Purbasari, Executive Director, PMO Kartu Prakerja, Indonesia

1. How do you use technology or policy to improve citizens’ lives? 

I have served as the Executive Director of Program Management Office (PMO) Kartu Prakerja (Pre-employment Card) since March 2020 until now. Kartu Prakerja was an initiative of President Joko Widodo in his 2nd term of administration. PMO is an implementing agency under the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs. As a government agency, we have 182 employees.

Through the Prakerja programme, the workforce is given scholarships or a certain amount of credits to purchase any training in the ecosystem. The goal is to increase productivity and encourage entrepreneurship in the workforce, while building their ability to adapt to a changing world. 

This programme manages millions of people per year – the largest in the country's history. So, new ways had to be found. Firstly, people can register directly at www.prakerja.go.id. This programme is on-demand, not top-down. Besides cutting costs and time, bribery and elite capture are eliminated.    

To select recipients, a randomisation algorithm by computer is used. The PMO uses cloud computing technology so that it is scalable, flexible, and cheap.   

Second, Prakerja uses a digital platform that can improve coordination in the market, reduce asymmetric information, and reduce skill gaps. Machine learning is used to provide training recommendations to participants, considering that there are thousands of training courses in Prakerja, both online and offline, weekdays or weekends, morning, afternoon or evening.   

So PMO is not a training provider but an ignited market for skill development. All training providers can offer their training as long as they fulfil the criteria and pass the assessment.  

After completing the training, machine learning will connect our learners with job vacancies that match the training they completed. The PMO system integrates job portals, training institutions, marketplaces, banks, FinTechs, and governments.  

Our technology also helps learners successfully navigate the entire journey from the registration process, purchasing training, training process, getting certificates and incentives, filling out evaluation surveys, to finding job opportunities. 

2. What was the most impactful project you worked on this year? 

The most important achievement is the inclusivity of the programme, which is shown by the high participation of vulnerable groups.  

During 2020-2024, Prakerja has provided access to training for 18.9 million people from 514 districts/cities. Of this number, 51 per cent were women, 3 per cent were people with disabilities, 6 per cent were very weak economic groups, 3 per cent were ex-migrant workers, 2 per cent were participants in remote areas, 17 per cent had only primary school education, 61 per cent were unemployed, and 86 per cent had never participated in vocational training at all.   

Studies with randomised control trials show that with an investment of around USD180 given just once, the income of recipients can rise 10-21 per cent higher than non-recipients. Using a conservative estimate, the annualised ROI of Prakerja is 14 per cent. This shows that the government’s investment in Prakerja is profitable as its ‘profitability’ exceeds the government's cost of funds by around 6.7 per cent.  

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3. What was one unexpected learning while leading PMO Prakerja?    

Leading a new institution, a new programme, a new way, and having many stakeholders is not easy. The unexpected learning for me is the importance of communication to ensure all parties involved (both internal and external), have the same vision, common ground, and can collaborate effectively.  

Secondly, in situations where there is no precedent, adjustments must be made quickly. Flexibility and the courage to make decisions under uncertainty are required. From here I learned that building organisational values and culture is very important. PMO Prakerja must be a learning organisation. Its people must have integrity and a growth mindset.  

Third, the public wants quick results, so we have to move fast. This is not a problem, because many of PMO Prakerja's talents come from startups. The challenge is, as a government institution, we have to maintain compliance with rigid and procedural regulations.  

This difference in startup culture vs a bureaucracy dealing with public expectations underscores the importance of a hybrid work approach; applying best practices from startups, such as sprint planning and iterative feedback; but still maintaining accountability through compliance reviews that are in accordance with government regulations.  

4. What’s one technology tool or technique you’re excited to explore in 2025? 

I would like to start an R&D unit to analyse more deeply the dynamics of job portals to provide meaningful information for job seekers, workers, parents, businesses, college/school management, training institutions, and the government. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) can help a lot from data collection, NLP, machine learning and pattern recognition, data visualisation and insights.  

The goal is for people to be aware of job trends over time, the most sought-after skills, growing industry sectors, locations with high job opportunities, high salaries, and so on.  

5. What dreams do you want to realise in 2025? 

I dream that the innovative aspects of Prakerja can be applied to other government programmes and leveraged for greater change. This means fewer studies, consultant fees, seminars, and wasted time. People need immediate action and results. I dream that innovations that have been proven to be effective, efficient, and accountable, such as Prakerja, are given room to grow.

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6. What advice do you have for public sector innovators? 

Don't be afraid to be disliked. Don't be discouraged if you are rejected. There will be many who are uncomfortable and don't understand. Therefore, build communication and form coalitions. Implement the change as soon as possible.

Show results, not process. Earn trust. Keep iterating. You must be persistent. Have independence of thought. Be confident in your own mind.  

7. Who inspires you today? 

Indonesian people. They are the reason I do this. Their lives are worth fighting for. And I believe everyone has a dream... A dream of a better life. If Singapore, South Korea and China can change the welfare of their people, Indonesia should be able to do it too. 

I must utilise my knowledge and position for the welfare of society to make a difference, to ignite hope, while I have the opportunity. I can't be mediocre or just give up when there are challenges.