UNAIR NEWS – To help students broaden their career outlook, the Directorate of Career Development, Entrepreneurship Incubation, and Alumni Affairs (DPKKA) at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) held a webinar in collaboration with Asuransi Astra. The event, The Importance of Reskilling and Upskilling, took place on Thursday (April 10, 2025) via Zoom.

The webinar featured Gde Evan Garry Wicaksana, Manager of Human Capital Operations at Asuransi Astra. The session began with opening remarks by Lina Nugraha Rani, SE, MS EI, Head of Career Development at DPKKA. She emphasized that the insurance industry continues to expand as a means of safeguarding against various risks. Highlighting Asuransi Astra’s diverse portfolio, she noted, “The growth of industries like insurance requires the support of highly qualified human resources.”

Why reskilling and upskilling matter

Wicaksana opened his session by defining reskilling as learning new abilities to transition into a different job role, often due to shifts in industry demands or career direction. Upskilling, on the other hand, involves improving existing skills or expanding one’s current knowledge base. “To illustrate, imagine a baker who owns a pastry shop but wants to shift to Italian cuisine. They would need to learn the skills to prepare Italian dishes,” said the UNAIR alumnus. He went on to explain that reskilling and upskilling contribute to personal growth, enhance competitiveness, open new career opportunities, and improve adaptability to industry change.

How to reskill and upskill effectively

Wicaksana emphasized that the first step is to identify which skills or knowledge areas one wishes to improve. He encouraged students to take part in workshops, attend seminars, and enroll in online courses. Networking, he added, plays a vital role in career development.

He also discussed the need to move beyond one’s comfort zone, invest time and money, and face challenges such as skill gaps. These obstacles, he said, can be overcome by setting aside ego, actively seeking learning materials, creating structured study plans, and tracking progress. “When learning something new, the results may not be immediate—but they will come eventually,” he affirmed.

Wicaksana provided examples of how these practices are applied at Asuransi Astra. For instance, manual tasks such as policy printing have now been automated through robotics to increase efficiency. As a non-bank financial institution, the company must navigate complex regulations, making continuous upskilling essential. “With the insurance industry’s stringent regulations, professionals must pursue ongoing education, such as certification programs,” added the Communication Studies alumnus.

Author: Rizma Elyza

Editor: Yulia Rohmawati