Backgrounds

Workplace learning plays a crucial role in empowering employees with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the challenges of modern industries. Thus, many studies or surveys have been held globally to capture the status and development of workforce learning and education.

Olsen and Tikkanen (2018) also highlight that there is a need for further research to explore the effectiveness of workplace learning interventions and to develop a better understanding of the factors that influence learning in the workplace. Nevertheless, there has been little coverage of the voice of low-skilled or blue collared workers in workplace learning, meanwhile these group of workers are still very powerful resources in labour market, especially when empowered and supported to ‘upskills’ themselves (Cedefop, 2016).  

The concerns of learning for adults even urgently need to be addressed, particularly in Indonesia, with a significant proportion of estimated 57% of informal employment of total employment (ILO, 2020). It is emphasized that targeted interventions are needed to address skill mismatches, promote skill development, and enhance labour market resilience in Indonesia. Accordingly, massive numbers of low-skilled, non-permanent workers in Indonesia also mirrored in “T” one of the biggest Indonesia’s state owned. In one of their business lines, ‘T’ utilizes a door-to-door marketing approach, hiring thousands of sales forces to help offer their products and services. From these sales forces, “T” has generated not a small revenue for the past few years. Indeed, data needs to be provided, yet it is not overly exaggerated to claim that these sales forces succeed in driving true examples of productive workers. This situation ignites some fact-check, where these workers, whom we often see as low-skilled, can be considered productive.

This research proposal investigates the perceived learning experience of low-skilled sales field workers in a state-owned enterprise in Indonesia. By exploring their motivations, barriers, and experiences, this study seeks to contribute to understanding workplace learning for this specific group. This study will shed light on their learning experiences, perceptions, and the potential role of digital technologies in supporting their learning needs.
Research Questions

1. How do low-skilled workers perceive their learning and training experiences in the workplace?
2. what factors influence their willingness to engage in learning and training activities?
3. What are the barriers and opportunities for workplace learning among low-skilled workers in Indonesian BUMNs?
4. What are the potential outcomes and significance of enhancing workplace learning for low-skilled workers in Indonesian BUMNs?

Methodology The research will use the explanatory sequential mixed method design. The explanatory sequential mixed method is one of the mixed-method types that collects the data in two phases: quantitative and then qualitative. This method usually gets the quantitative data to inform what kind of participants are to be purposely selected and further investigate it with the qualitative data. (Creswell, J.W. & Creswell, J.D., 2018). Accordingly, as this study aims to investigate the perceived learning experience of low-skilled sales field workers in a state-owned enterprise in Indonesia including their motivations, barriers, and experiences, the quantitative survey will be comprised of closed and open-ended questions. The participants will be selected through purposive sampling, ensuring that a diverse range of participants are included based on their education and training background, socioeconomic status, and skills. Following the survey, qualitative interviews will be conducted with both low-skilled workers and organizational leaders to explore perceptions, attitudes, and experiences related to workplace learning. The data collected from the survey and interviews will be analysed using statistical analysis and thematic analysis. The interview data will be analysed using thematic analysis because it has been remarkable for being flexible despite the kinds of research perspectives, design, sample, and data collection (Braun & Clarke, 2006).

Research Outcomes and Significances This research aims to contribute to both business and adult learning scholarly work by providing insights into enhancing workplace learning for low-skilled workers in one of Indonesian State-owned Enterprises. The study's outcomes will include: - Identification of barriers and challenges faced by low-skilled workers in accessing workplace learning initiatives. - Exploration of low-skilled workers' perceptions of workplace learning and the factors influencing their engagement in learning and training activities. - Understanding organizational leaders' perspectives on implementing workplace learning programs for low-skilled workers. - Recommendations for designing effective workplace learning initiatives tailored to the needs of low-skilled workers. - Contribution to existing literature on workplace learning, adult education, and human resource development in the context of low-skilled workers.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa Cedefop. (2016). Improving career prospects for the low-educated: The role of guidance and lifelong learning (Cedefop research paper No. 54). Publications Office of the European Union. https://dx.doi.org/10.2801/794545 Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage Publications. International Labour Organization. (2020). Indonesia: Employment by sector, status in employment, and type of employment. https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---asia/---ro-bangkok/---ilo-jakarta/documents/publication/wcms_755995.pdf Olsen, D. S., & Tikkanen, T. (2018). The developing field of workplace learning and the contribution of PIAAC. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 37(5), 546–559. https://doi.org/10.1080/02601370.2018.1497720