Do Skills Matter in Influencing Employment for People with Disabilities? Exploring the Role of ICT Skills and Education

Elita Pertiwi, Vierra Citra Dewi Suchendar, Raden Muhamad Purnagunawan, Ferry Hadiyanto

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Vol. 20 No. 1 (2025)
Keywords:
    People with Disabilities (PWD), Disability Employment, ICT Skills, Labor Force Participation, Employment Determinants
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Abstract

This study investigates how education and information and communication technology (ICT) skills influence the likelihood of employment among people with disabilities (PWD) in Indonesia. Drawing on data from the 2022 National Socioeconomic Survey (SUSENAS), I estimate a probit model to identify the key factors affecting labor market inclusion for PWD. The results show that both higher levels of education and ICT proficiency significantly increase the probability of employment. In contrast, being female, caring for young children, living in urban areas, or experiencing severe disability are all associated with lower employment odds. Notably, the relationship between education and employment is non-linear, with positive effects emerging only beyond a certain threshold of schooling. These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions, particularly in digital literacy and education access, to improve labor market outcomes for people with disabilities. The results offer timely policy implications for promoting inclusive economic participation in line with Indonesia’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.

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Authors

Elita Pertiwi
a:1:{s:5:"en_US";s:23:"Universitas Padjadjaran";}
elita21002@mail.unpad.ac.id (Primary Contact)
Vierra Citra Dewi Suchendar
Universitas Padjadjaran
Raden Muhamad Purnagunawan
Ferry Hadiyanto
Author Biographies

Elita Pertiwi, a:1:{s:5:"en_US";s:23:"Universitas Padjadjaran";}

Elita Pertiwi holds a Bachelor of Economics from Universitas Indonesia, a Master of English Education from Universitas Negeri Jakarta, and a Master of Economics from Universitas Padjadjaran. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics at Universitas Padjadjaran. Her academic and research interests include gender economics, labor markets, and digital inclusion, with a particular focus on the intersection of education, skills, and female economic participation. She is also active in education and outreach work related to inclusive economic development.

Vierra Citra Dewi Suchendar, Universitas Padjadjaran

Vierra Citra Dewi Suchendar is an academic and researcher in the field of economics. Vierra was graduated bachelor degree from Economics and Development Studies Universitas Jenderal Soedirman and master degree from Applied Economics Universitas Padjadjaran. Vierra focus on health labor economics and a particular interest in health economics and contemporary labor issues. Her academic background includes formal training in economics, supported by substantial research experience in analyzing the relationship between labor market dynamics and public health indicators, including the implications of labor policies on worker well-being. In her academic and research activities, Vierra actively write and publish scholarly work that addresses topics such as wage inequality, working conditions, access to healthcare among workers, and the impact of public policy interventions on productivity and occupational health. She has also particularly interested in applied microeconomic studies that explore the link between health status and labor force participation.
Pertiwi, E., Suchendar, V. C. D., Purnagunawan, R. M. and Hadiyanto, F. (2025) “Do Skills Matter in Influencing Employment for People with Disabilities? Exploring the Role of ICT Skills and Education”, Jurnal Ketenagakerjaan, 20(1). Available at: https://journals.kemnaker.go.id/index.php/naker/article/view/480 (Accessed: 22 September 2025).
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