Siegwerk supports educational efforts in Indonesia

Alongside social projects, the company has conducted joint global aid projects with SOS Children's Villages worldwide since 2010, significantly driving the change in thousands of children’s lives.

Its latest project has involved the creation of a digital library, through which Siegwerk is supporting SOS Children's Village in Cibubur, Jakarta to offer young people better digital education possibilities and improve their prospects for future employability.

Siegwerk has sponsored tens of thousands of euros that have been invested in new computers, a powerful server, advanced interactive presentation equipment and video conferencing facilities. Besides, all 15 family houses have been equipped with computers, internet access and a network to the library. This will enable the youths to work and study from home without relying on public computer centers or libraries anymore. The newly-opened digital library will also serve as a computer learning center for those at SOS Jakarta who require further training.

A dedicated on-site project manager from SOS will manage and maintain the new equipment and facilities keeping the digital education as up-to-date as possible.

Siegwerk CEO Herbert Forker said: ‘In today’s education system children need access to digital resources and working methods because their digital experience will strongly influence their future prospects for employability. That’s why we have decided to support the SOS Children's Village Cibubur in Jakarta to improve its digital standard by upgrading the existing library to a digital facility.’

In addition to opening a digital library in Jakarta, Siegwerk also supports the SOS YouthCan! program to concretely fight against youth unemployment in Indonesia. The YouthCan! initiative empowers young people helping them to get prepared for the transition to independence and the job market.

Gregor Hadi Nitihardjo, national director of SOS Children’s Villages Indonesia, said: ‘More than 64 million young people worldwide are unemployed and many more do not earn enough to build a stable, independent life. We are happy to have Siegwerk as partner on our side to further combat the difficult conditions for young people in Indonesia.’

As partner of this SOS initiative, local Siegwerk employees act as mentors helping youths to build work skills and providing career guidance or direct work experience. The average age of young adults leaving SOS care in Indonesia is between 20 and 24, that’s when they start to develop their lives and careers.

As part of its activities Siegwerk organizes for example career trainings, two English TOEFL classes, an internship program or workshops on entrepreneurship at the SOS Children’s Village Cibubur in Jakarta. The coachings are either conducted by local Siegwerk employees or by hired external trainers, if a special certification is needed.

Forker continued: ‘It’s our goal to foster young people to master their lives in a self-reliant and -determined way and build a stable future. We want to enable youths to gain hands-on experiences and give insights in a real working environment.’