The covid-19 pandemic causes the Indonesian economy to face a big challenge. One of the strategies to strengthen the economy is by increasing the quality and competitiveness of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Therefore, MSMEs have a significant role in developing the Indonesian economy.
Unfortunately, access to quality learning for MSMEs generally requires lots of money. The available educational media that are credible and free of charge come from abroad and use foreign languages as the introduction. It is not suitable for the conditions and profiles of most MSMEs actors in Indonesia.
Based on the concerns on those conditions, several UGM alumni, initiated by Yulisyah Putri Daulay (Industrial Engineering 2013), Muhammad Nabil Satria Faradis (Mechanical Engineering 2012), Rischa Agustina (Industrial Engineering 2014), Dyah Ayu Permatasari (Chemical Engineering 2013), Santika Wibowo (Accounting 2013), Muhammad Ersan Ramadhan (Computer Science 2012) and Aulia Arman Engineering Physics 2010) then established LatihID.
LatihID is an online education platform that provides free and quality training to MSMEs throughout Indonesia. Besides, LatihID also aims to increase the number of young entrepreneurs as the future of Indonesia by bridging the capability gap by increasing MSME owners’ competencies in Indonesia.
According to Putri, the establishment of LatihID was inspired by the learning system she obtained while pursuing postgraduate education in Melbourne, Australia. Putri and her friends hope that LatihID can become the leading e-learning platform to help Indonesian MSMEs survive and compete in the market, both nationally and globally.
To achieve this vision, Putri explained that LatihID has three primary programs, consisting of LatihID Modules, LatihID Talks, and LatihID Pojok Cerita (PETA). The LatihID modules are available and accessible via latihid.com. Each module consists of several lessons developed and adapted to different types of businesses.
Meanwhile, the LatihID Talks program is a series of online classes aimed at increasing knowledge and skills in the field of MSMEs. Through this program, LatihID presents MSMEs experts or practitioners who will deliver material, share experiences, and have direct discussions with the participants.
Meanwhile, LatihID PETA is a collection of short videos that aims as a forum for entrepreneurs or MSMEs to share experiences and knowledge with the broader community. The videos were posted on LatihID’s website and social media accounts.
Nabil added that the advantages of this LatihID include the material that focuses on developing MSMEs in Indonesia. He also said that the material was delivered in simple and practical language; thus, it could be applied immediately. “With the support of business partners, LatihID provides users with lifetime free access to all the content provided. Besides, these materials can be accessed flexibly and not limited by time or place,” said Nabil.
Nabil said that he and his friends believed that in this knowledge-based economy, the performance of MSMEs depended on relationships with the latest knowledge and skills. “Training is the primary and essential method for developing human resources in business which aims to motivate employees, build their skills, and ultimately improve business performance. Effective and sustainable training methods that enable MSMEs to support local economic development, succeed in the global market, and ultimately improve the Indonesian economy,” he concluded.
Currently, LatihID has received support by receiving a grant from YSEALI Seeds for the Future Grant 2020 from the US Department of State, the University of Melbourne – Australia, and Climate Reality Australia.
Source: https://ugm.ac.id/id/berita/19834-alumni-ugm-buat-platform-edukasi-daring-untuk-umkm
