Masyarakat Terampil dan Berdaya (MATA) is a flagship program delivered by Yayasan Inspirasi Indonesia Membangun (YIIM) with support from PT Insight Investments Management. On Wednesday, 23 October 2024, the program began a five-day social-enterprise barber training course designed to help participants develop practical skills for economic independence.

Barbershops provide an essential everyday service and offer promising opportunities for employment and microenterprise. The course therefore combined technical instruction, hands-on haircutting practice, customer-service role play, discussion, and questions with trainers who had professional experience in the barber industry.

The training was held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the YIIM office in Grand Wijaya Centre Block F/62B, Pulo, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. Ten participants joined the program, including people from low-income backgrounds and correctional clients supported by BAPAS. Syaifulloh served as the lead trainer, assisted by Hermanto.

On the first day, Maria Dewi Yanti, Secretary of YIIM, formally opened the program and encouraged participants to remain enthusiastic and focused throughout the lessons and practice. Participants completed a pre-test to measure their initial knowledge before learning the stages involved in haircutting. The trainer demonstrated each stage and ended the session with a question-and-answer discussion.

The second day began with a review of the previous material before participants studied core haircutting techniques. They were divided into five groups and practiced on models provided by YIIM under the supervision of the trainer and assistant trainer. Participants showed strong enthusiasm and actively engaged in the exercises.

On the third day, participants reviewed earlier lessons and learned scissor-cutting techniques. Working in five pairs, they were responsible for cutting their assigned models’ hair. Although many initially found professional scissor techniques difficult, they continued practicing and asked the trainers for guidance.

The fourth day focused on finishing and refining a haircut. Participants learned how to select and use different clipper guards. They initially experienced difficulty choosing the correct sizes, but repeated explanations and practice helped them become more confident.

On the final day, the course covered professional ethics for barbers. Each participant independently served a model and applied both technical and customer-service skills. Riccana Rosita, Treasurer of YIIM, formally closed the course and encouraged graduates to continue developing their knowledge. She cited Syaifulloh’s journey from a YIIM alumnus to a barber trainer as an example of what consistent learning could achieve.

Participants maintained high levels of curiosity and commitment across the five days. Budi Saputra, one of the trainees, said the course had shown him that haircutting required patience and sustained practice. He hoped to work in the barber industry and eventually open his own business.

The program contributes to SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. It reflects YIIM and Insight IM’s commitment to using social funding to create lasting socioeconomic opportunities.

Salam Inspirasi!