DBS BERSIAP 2025 Graduation: celebrating the spirit of inclusion and career independence of friends with disabilities | Bahasa
United Nations Indonesia data show that there are 38.8 million people with disabilities in Indonesia. Meanwhile, Ministry of Manpower 2024 data show that the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) of persons with disabilities is only 20.14 percent while the Open Unemployment Rate (OUR) remains quite high, at 10.8 percent. This means that persons with disabilities still have limited access to work. Therefore, it is important for all parties to play an active role in creating an inclusive and equitable work environment.
Responding to these challenges, the DBS BERSIAP programme, a collaboration between Bank DBS Indonesia and Koneksi Indonesia Inklusif (KONEKIN), aims at equipping young people with disabilities with the skills they need to enter the workforce. Since its launch in 2024, DBS BERSIAP has remained committed to providing relevant, accessible, and impactful training.
Head of Group Strategic Marketing & Communications PT Bank DBS Indonesia Mona Monika said, “The collaboration between Bank DBS Indonesia and KONEKIN through the DBS BERSIAP programme shows that creating an inclusive workplace is a shared responsibility. We believe that inclusion is more than just providing access; it also involves efforts to build an environment that truly appreciates the diverse needs of individuals. Through a training approach adjusted to the potentials of participants with disabilities, we want to help them become better prepared to face a competitive work force while raising awareness that people with disabilities have extraordinary capacity to contribute. This programme is a concrete step towards bridging the gap between education, training, and more equal employment opportunities.”
For 1.5 months, participants consisting of students and fresh graduates with disabilities received training on various topics, ranging from work ethics, financial literacy and investment, to communication patterns in a professional environment. In addition, participants were also equipped with skills relevant to current job market trends such as the use of Generative AI to increase productivity as well as the basics in Microsoft Excel to support data analysis in the workplace.
This year, 50 participants took part in a series of mentoring sessions and workshops led by 80 Bank DBS Indonesia employees who volunteered as mentors and facilitators. During these activities, the mentors shared their insights, experiences, and expertise to help participants develop their potential and prepare them for the work force. This initiative was part of Bank DBS Indonesia's employee volunteer programme, People of Purpose, which encourages employees to make a positive impact on society through service-based and skill-based contributions.
DBS BERSIAP 2025 Graduation: A Tangible Manifestation of the Spirit of Inclusion
The DBS BERSIAP programme is also in line with the 2025 Government Work Plan (RKP), which makes equality and the fulfillment of the rights of persons with disabilities a national priority, including improving access to employment, skills training, and the development of disability-friendly infrastructure.
In addition to the graduation ceremony, participants were invited to attend two further education sessions, namely Career Panel Discussion themed “Building Personal Branding & Achieving Your Dream Career” and an Interactive Inclusive Session entitled “Learning Sign Language with Deaf Friends.”
The Career Panel session featured representatives from Bank DBS Indonesia, facilitators, and BERSIAP alumni, who shared their experiences on how to build an inclusive personal brand, create a curriculum vitae (CV) and portfolio, and face job interviews with confidence. Meanwhile, the sign language learning session, guided by deaf friends, provided participants with a new experience in understanding the importance of equality communication in the workplace.
Bank DBS Indonesia and KONEKIN's Commitment to a More Inclusive World
The DBS BERSIAP programme is a concrete implementation of Bank DBS Indonesia's third sustainability pillar, Impact Beyond Banking, which aims at creating an impact beyond banking practices in its journey to become the Best Bank for a Better World. This pillar is based on two focuses: fostering inclusion and providing essential needs, including for people with disabilities.
Since its launch, DBS BERSIAP has continued to make a tangible impact on its participants. A number of past years alumni have now successfully entered the workforce, both in the private sector and public institutions, and continue to develop their careers independently. Their achievements are proof that with the right opportunities and support, people with disabilities have great potential to contribute professionally.
As an implementing partner, KONEKIN plays an important role in designing the curriculum, assisting participants, and ensuring that the entire process is accessible and adaptive to various disability needs. “Through this collaboration, KONEKIN and Bank DBS Indonesia hope to encourage more parties to participate in building a fair and empowered society for #AnInclusiveIndonesia,” CEO & Founder KONEKIN Indonesia Marthella Sirait concluded.
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About DBS
DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.
Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia” award by Global Finance for 17 consecutive years from 2009 to 2025.
DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets.
Established in 1989 as part of the Singapore-based DBS Group, PT Bank DBS Indonesia (Bank DBS Indonesia) is one of the banks with the longest history in Asia. Currently operating 1 Head Office, 13 Branch Offices, 16 Assistant Offices, 1 Functional Office and 3,011 active employees in 15 Major Cities in Indonesia, Bank DBS Indonesia provides comprehensive banking services that focus on the customer experience to 'Live more, Bank less'. We also see a purpose beyond banking and are committed to supporting our customers, employees, and the community towards a sustainable future.
PT Bank DBS Indonesia is licensed and supervised by The Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK), and an insured member of Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS).
DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need. It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact.
With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.
About DBS Foundation
Established in 2014, DBS Foundation is committed to uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need. It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact. It aims to bring hope to those with less today, so no one is left behind and we can all face the future with confidence.
In 2024, DBS committed up to SGD 1 billion dollars over the next decade to support vulnerable communities. It also pledged to contribute 1.5 million employee volunteer hours over the same period.
Together with an ecosystem of like-minded partners, DBS Foundation seeks to create impact that goes beyond banking, beyond borders, and beyond generations.
For more information, please visit: www.dbs.com/dbsfoundation.
About DBS BERSIAP
Since its launch, the DBS BERSIAP program has provided opportunities for people with disabilities from various regions to develop their skills and career readiness. The program covers soft skills training and career development. With the support of professional mentors and an experience-based learning approach, BERSIAP has become a platform that encourages independence and empowerment among young people with disabilities.
Through the DBS BERSIAP 2025 Graduation Ceremony, Bank DBS Indonesia and KONEKIN reaffirm their commitment to continue creating a more inclusive and sustainable workplace where every individual has the same opportunity to grow and contribute.