More than 100 students gathered at Sriwijaya University in Palembang on August 5 to examine how South Sumatra will manage its heavy reliance on coal as Indonesia shifts toward a low-carbon economy. Organized by the International Labour Organization and local academic partners, the workshop addressed regional economic transformation, workforce preparation, and the development of sustainable sectors such as agriculture and tourism.
Workforce Planning and Economic Diversification in South Sumatra
Coal has long driven the economy of South Sumatra, making the shift toward renewable energy a complex challenge for regional planners. According to Hari Wibawa, Head of Economic Affairs and Development Financing at the South Sumatra Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda), stakeholders have established a Regional Consultation Forum to facilitate social dialogue on how the transition impacts the workforce. Additionally, officials have formulated a Skills Development Roadmap prioritizing the plantation and tourism sectors to secure alternative growth as coal dependence recedes.
Dr. Ardiyan Saptawan, Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at Sriwijaya University, emphasized that universities bear a responsibility to prepare young people for these economic shifts through innovation, training, and institutional collaboration. Muce Mochtar, ILO IKI-JET Project Coordinator in Indonesia, noted that South Sumatra and East Kalimantan serve as pilot provinces under the Innovation Regions for a Just Energy Transition project, designed to ensure that climate targets align with the creation of decent work.
Did You Know? The Innovation Regions for a Just Energy Transition (IKI-JET) project has designated South Sumatra and East Kalimantan as pilot provinces in Indonesia to advance the implementation of a fair low-carbon economy.
Inclusion and Youth Advocacy in the Energy Transition
Addressing the social dimensions of the transition, Nengyanti, a lecturer and gender expert at Sriwijaya University, pointed out that women in South Sumatra continue to face hurdles in formal employment, skills development, and technology access. She stressed that female workers must be actively integrated into emerging sectors to ensure equitable growth. Afif Khairi argued that regional diversification should look beyond extractive industries by further developing the local coffee sector while safeguarding forests and the environment.
To sustain these efforts, the event concluded with the launch of a partnership between the ILO and university students under the ILO Youth Network. Selected participants will create social media content and articles to inform their communities about the just energy transition. Gita Lingga, ILO Senior Communications Officer, explained that the network encourages students across participating institutions—including Sriwijaya University, Airlangga University, Gadjah Mada University, and Diponegoro University—to recognize their stake in shaping future regional careers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main purpose of the workshop at Sriwijaya University?
The workshop explored the challenges and opportunities of a just energy transition in South Sumatra, focusing on jobs, skills, and economic diversification away from coal.
Which sectors have been prioritized for regional economic diversification?
According to planning officials, the plantation and tourism sectors—and the coffee sector—have been identified as priorities to support workers and communities.
What is the ILO Youth Network partnership?
The initiative enlists university students to develop social media content and articles to raise awareness about the energy transition among their peers and local communities.
How can young professionals and students in coal-dependent regions best prepare for upcoming shifts in the local labor market?
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