Empowering Indonesian Migrant Workers: Initial Steps in Building Post- Employment Ventures

Abstract

This collaborative community engagement initiative aimed at addressing the challenges faced by Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) and empowering them with the knowledge and skills required to establish businesses upon their return to Indonesia. The program, conducted over one semester from October to December 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, involves a partnership between the NGO SHARING, the Indonesian Embassy, the Indonesian Student Association at Sultan Idris University (PPI UPSI) in Malaysia, and 115 universities in Indonesia and Malaysia. Following an academic structure, this article covers the background, methodology, results and discussion, conclusions and recommendations, and references. The program's methodology encompasses a needs assessment, curriculum development, hybrid learning, expert facilitation, mentoring, continuous evaluation, and stakeholder collaboration. Preliminary results indicate a significant enhancement in participants' entrepreneurial knowledge and skills, highlighting the program's effectiveness. The mentoring component, in particular, has received positive feedback, emphasizing the value of personalized guidance. Continuous evaluation and stakeholder collaboration ensure the program's adaptability and relevance, addressing the evolving needs of PMIs. The implications of the program for socio-economic reintegration are discussed, emphasizing the positive outcomes observed and potential areas for future research. Overall, this initiative represents a holistic approach to empowering PMIs, contributing to their resilience and success in post- employment ventures.