Impact Evaluation of The Pre-Employment Card on The Duration in Preparing for Work and Skill Improvement in The Java Island in 2020

Abstract

The pre-employment card program is designed to improve the skills of the Indonesian workforce in order to make the workforce more competitive and productive. At the same time, it is also become a social safety net to reduce the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Purpose: This research aims to know the impact of the pre-employment card program on the duration of preparing for work and skill improvement, whether this policy could reduce the waiting period for the workforce to get a job, and improve the skills of the beneficiaries. Methodology: This study uses the PSM (Propensity Score Matching) method and using the Sakernas survey data in February 2021. The sample of this study is Java island because more than 50% of the pre-employment card recipients live in Java island. Results: The results showed that the pre-employment program had a significant impact on improving the skills of its beneficiaries by 0.08199%. While beneficiary eligibility could improve, the pre-employment card has not to reduced the waiting period for workers to find work.