Jakarta, July 6th, 2023 – Company providing Vocational Education services and Hospitality Operators, PT Idea Indonesia Akademi Tbk (IDEA), officially started the 29th generation hospitality and culinary training program simultaneously in four hotels and four cities; namely Aidia Grande Hotel Metro Lampung, Grand Kemang Hotel Jakarta, Pandanaran Hotel Semarang, and Garden Palace Hotel Surabaya, on Monday 03/07/2023. The 29th batch of training was attended by more than 300 participants from various regions in Indonesia.
The opening of the simultaneous program in four cities was inaugurated by the Director General of Vocational Studies who was represented by the Director of Courses and Training of the Directorate General of Vocational Studies, Ministry of Education and Culture, Research, Technology, and Higher Education, Dr. Wartanto, MM. In his remarks, Wartanto said that the opening of the training program at Idea Indonesia marked the rise of Courses and Training in Indonesia. “IDEA is an inspiration for course and training institutions in Indonesia to quickly get up after being hit by a pandemic,” he said.
In his direction to program participants, Wartanto advised that participants really learn to build character, communication, and skills. He also appealed to participants not to waste valuable opportunities during the training because the facilities prepared by Idea Indonesia are fully industry standard. “In Indonesia, there are rarely training institutions that learn and practice directly in 3-star and 4-star hotels like Idea Indonesia, don’t waste this golden opportunity,” Wartanto ordered.
As is known, Idea Indonesia carries the concept of integrative vocational education with hotels as a Teaching Factory, where the learning process and hands-on practice are carried out in 3-star and 4-star hotels. So, participants benefit by learning and practicing directly with hotel facilities, guided by hotel practitioners, using hotel work tools, and engaging in service operations at the hotel.
Meanwhile, the Main Director of IDEA, Eko Desriyanto, in his remarks said that interested registrants for the 29th training program batch reached 3500 participants. “After the election, only 600 participants were accepted into the regular program. 300 participants started the program in July 2023, and the other half will be in November,” said Eko. Meanwhile, other participants who were not accepted or were unable to continue the program were due to participants not meeting the requirements, such as lack of height or financial reasons.
Eko said that IDEA’s rise to 3x the number of participants compared to 2021 and 2022 was inseparable from the well-established collaboration with partner SMAs/SMKs and alumni who recommended IDEA as an alternative to continuing education after graduating from school. “The network of school partners and alumni who had been in a vacuum for almost 3 years during the pandemic, is now actively recommending students to Idea Indonesia again,” said Eko.
Regarding the large number of enthusiasts who want to take part in the program but are constrained by costs, Eko said that his party is currently preparing a Hybrid Program and Bailout Fund. The Hybrid program allows students to study theory online, then continue offline practice at IDEA. “This allows for more economical program costs” he said. While the Bailout Fund scheme allows participants to repay program costs after they work.
Eko is optimistic that the two program schemes prepared, the Hybrid Program and the Bailout Fund will be able to significantly increase the number of program participants. “We have explored agreements with third parties who are willing to provide bailout funds for program participants,” explained Eko. He is confident that this scheme will boost the recruitment of program participants to 2,000 people in the second half of 2023.
IDEA Finance Director, Yusuf Fauzan said that the opening of the Batch 29 training program showed that the company’s business had experienced significant improvements after previously being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The number of students has increased significantly, which has had a major impact on the Company’s financial performance,” he said.
Yusuf said that apart from optimizing revenue from training and operating existing hotels and restaurants, the company will also open a new branch and is in the process of taking over a building to be managed as a meeting venue, virtual office and wedding hall in the near future. “A new branch and building management takeover will be launched in the near future,” concluded Yusuf.
Meanwhile, Idea Indonesia Metro Lampung Branch Manager, Qonita, said that the process of welcoming program participants at all IDEA branches had been carried out in stages since June 26, 2023.
Qonita also explained that apart from the regular training program, Idea Indonesia also carried out an Upskilling Camp program for SMK students and teachers in the hospitality and catering sector, especially in Lampung. This program is implemented for grade 10 or grade 1 students of SMK. “Currently there are 3 SMKs joining with a total of 75 students and teachers participating,” he concluded.