SBM ITB, through its Big Data and Business Analytics Laboratory, in collaboration with the West Java Provincial Education Office (Disdik Jabar), opened a Data Detective bootcamp for vocational high school students on Saturday (July 19th). This bootcamp aims to equip vocational high school students with the skills to analyze sales data and market trends, design data-driven financial plans, and create sales dashboards using Google Sheets and Looker Studio.
In his remarks, Edy Purwanto, Head of the PSMK Division of the West Java Provincial Education Office, emphasized the importance of data-driven contextual learning in building a competitive learning ecosystem. The “Data Detective” program is designed to foster a data-driven mindset and evidence-based decision-making. With these skills, students are expected to be able to identify local business potential and develop collaborations with MSMEs, creative communities, cooperatives, and village governments.
Manahan Siallagan, the Head of the Big Data and Business Analytics Laboratory at SBM ITB, highlighted the growing demand for data skills, particularly for internships and job readiness. He noted that this training not only helps students learn to manage and visualize data but also expands their understanding of how data can offer valuable insights for making business decisions.
On the first day of the bootcamp, the students participated in a training session entitled “Analyzing Trends and Market Demand for Creative Products,” facilitated by Mutia Ulfi. This session aimed to introduce the concept of market trends, the importance of reading trends in the MSME business world, and how to easily find trend data using cloud-based digital tools. Examples of trends introduced included viral foods like croffles and dalgona coffee, fashion trends like oversized hoodies and canvas tote bags, and local craft products like Balinese rattan bags and ecoprints.
Participants were encouraged to understand the importance of reading trends: adapting products to market demand, increasing sales opportunities, avoiding excess stock, and designing targeted marketing strategies. Some of the methods introduced included consumer surveys, searching for market trend data through Google Trends, hashtags on Instagram, and marketplace insights features.
Students are introduced to cloud-based analytical tools, such as Google Sheets for creating sales reports and revenue graphs, and Looker Studio for developing visually appealing and easy-to-read dashboards. The advantage of these cloud-based tools is their accessibility from anywhere, without the need for heavy software installations. This makes them ideal for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with relatively simple data sets.
As part of the practicum, students participate in hands-on activities through interactive Zoom sessions. They are tasked with researching trending keywords on Google Trends that could potentially be transformed into business ideas. This activity is designed to enhance students’ sensitivity to changing market interests and strengthen their data analysis skills, which are essential in today’s workplace and business environment.
At the end of the training, participants will receive a certificate that can enhance their applications for jobs or internships. SBM ITB and the West Java Education Office hope this program will produce vocational high school students who are digitally proficient, adaptable to change, and ready to become informed young entrepreneurs driven by data and culture.
