“4C to Reach Cloud 9”

INTER-COLLEGE JAVA ENGLISH COMPETITION

2019

Compiled by:

Miftahul Rahma

Sub theme:

The Importance of 21st century skills in IR 4.0

MERCHANT MARINE HIGHER EDUCATION JAKARTA

2019
 A huge change is underway in the world right now in which the Industrial
Revolution 4.0 has began. The way we live, learn, connect to each other, move and
work will absolutely change. This Industrial Revolution 4.0 is fundamentally different
from the previous one. The magnitude power of this revolution disrupt swiftly and have
the impact to our industries, geographies, labor market, data sharing, knowledge
distribution and technological advancements in unique ways. In one hand all occupation
become fully automated using currently available technology, but in the other hand
many existing jobs will change ploddingly; others will dissapear and will be replaced by
humanoids, robots, and other intelligant machines.
To keep pace with this storm changes, workforces are required to possess skills
set, which are known as 21st century skills. It consists of critical thinking, creativity,
collaboration, communication, information literacy, media literacy, technology literacy,
flexibility, leadership, initiative, productivity, social skills which are fully controlled by
them. By these skills, it is expected that they can survive and adapt with intelligent
machines. We are living in a period where the skills are required across all job and
industrial sectors. This essay is specifically focused on how millennials master 21st
century skills to face this Industrial Revolution 4.0.
Nowadays, Millennials as the major generation in Indonesia actively involve in
various sectors in society and explore their ability. More than 50% of them are
workforces (Alisjahbana, Purnagunawan, & Pitriyan, 2018). Millennials as workforce
are embraced as an active part of companies’ development in which they are positioned
its future success. They thrive on challanging work, caring about creative expression
than leadership roles in companies. They are critical to expand their business who relish
responsibility and have a high need for companies engagement and support. In
workplace, they demand flexibility to control their owns working hours and locations.
They are honest and tend to have open communication with their colleagues and also
crave knowledge by using e-learn.
Based on the data above, indirectly millennials already adopt 4C of 21st century
skills, which are communication, critical, creative, and collaborative. However, their
skills and abilities above do not guarantee them to get job which is in line with their
educational background. Although, they have higher degree compared to previous
generations, 51% of them are still working in unrelated occupation which is different
from their background of education (Alisjahbana, Purnagunawan, & Pitriyan, 2018). It
certainly gives big impact on the way millennial works , solve the problems and salary
that they got. To overcome this condition, they need to be multitasking in order to spot
more opportunities in many sectors and get better life. Through the tips below,
millennials can adopt 4C by implementing them in learning process or in daily activities
as follows:
1. Understand that millennials are different from previous generation
As they are technology savvy, they have more access to information and
knowledge. This gives them more opportunity to develop their skills.
2. Utilize e-Learning Technologies
By utilizing this feature, they learn to be independent. It helps them to learn
various things for problem solving purposes.
3. Emphasize opportunities for help and support
As millennials are engaged to each other through various platforms, it is easier
for them to connect, to ask and to share information, as well as to ask for support
and assistance.
4. Encourage the importance of team dynamics and encourage collaboration
By this, they can explore more sources and creatively foster an opportunity to
create new workfield by broadening their community engagement.
5. Be fair and straightforward
It trains them to remain stable throughout various situation, especially in the
hardest times. So that they stay focus on reaching their goals.
By this implementation, millennials can be determined in facing this rapid
changing and see more opportunities in many sectors of this Industry Revolution 4.0.
They are also expected to not depend on their education skills actually do more.
References
Alisjahbana, A. S., Purnagunawan, R. M., & Pitriyan, P. (2018). Mismatch Pendidikan
& Pekerjaan Bagi Kaum Muda di Indonesia. Kesiapan SDM Indonesia di Era
Disrupsi dan Globalisasi (pp. 16-18). Bandung: SDGs Center UNPAD.

Pedron, Z. (2018). The Skills Revolution of The 21st Century: It's Time to Re-calibrate.
20-28.

Roberts, D. H., Schwartzstein, R., & Newman, L. (2012). Twelve Tips for Facilitating
Millennials' Learning. Medical Teacher, 1-5.

Utomo, W. (2019). Indonesia Millenial Report 2019. IDN Reasearch Institute.