SOUTH TANGERANG —-— The sound of wrenches clinking and the hum of motorcycle engines have become part of Eka Anendar Putra’s (29) daily routine. At the Promatic Workshop of the Independence Institute (IK) at Dompet Dhuafa in Bekasi, he is highly skilled at addressing every customer complaint regarding their motorcycles. Since 2025, he has served as Workshop Manager, a position he has quickly risen to over the past five years.
The Promatic Workshop is a business unit managed by the Independence Institute (IK) under the auspices of Dompet Dhuafa. Currently, there are four Promatic workshops located in Cilangkap (East Jakarta), Pagelarang (East Jakarta), Kodau (Bekasi), and Kelapa Dua (Tangerang). All four serve as both learning spaces and growth environments for IK’s automotive training alumni.
Before joining IK in 2019, Eka worked in a factory for about three years. As a graduate of a vocational high school specializing in light vehicle mechanics, he had actually been familiar with engines since school. However, his family’s financial situation left him without the opportunity to continue his education, let alone pursue a business degree, which was his true passion.
Eka chose to work. While working, she quietly studied and observed the work systems, management, and business models of the place where she earned her living.
“My goal is indeed to eventually have my own business. If I were at a factory, it might be harder and take longer for me to own one,” she said.
At the factory, he felt the path to starting a similar business was too long and complex. In contrast, he believed a workshop was a more realistic option to learn and develop step by step. Ultimately, he simply wanted to own his own business.
The year 2019 marked a turning point. Eka attended a three-month automotive training program at the Independence Institute. He was trained not only in technical skills but also in work ethic and discipline, as well as the basics of management.
After graduating, he was placed as an intern at the Promatic IK Dompet Dhuafa Workshop in Pagelarang, East Jakarta. Following his internship, he worked as a junior mechanic for two years, then advanced to a senior mechanic for the next two years.
After that, he entered the business incubation phase—a crucial stage in the training process at the Institut Kemandirian.
“During this incubation period, we encourage the mechanics to open their own workshops. So, in addition to understanding automotive mechanics, they must also understand management, finance, business, human resources management, and other areas,” explained Iqbal Ardiansyah, Business Unit Manager at IK, while accompanying the IK mechanics who were repairing hundreds of motorcycles belonging to online ride-hailing drivers as part of the BerOJOL Program.
For Eka, the incubation phase became his “business campus.” He learned to read financial reports, calculate margins, manage spare parts inventory, and understand customer service strategies. He went through a total of five years of this process until finally, in 2025, he was entrusted with the role of Workshop Manager at the Dompet Dhuafa IK Promatic Workshop in Bekasi.
Eka’s role as Workshop Manager became even more evident when he joined the BerOJOL Program (Supporting Businesses and Maintaining Ride-Hailing Vehicles), initiated by Dompet Dhuafa. The program was officially launched on Sunday (March 1, 2026) at the Lotte Grosir complex in South Tangerang.
On the launch day, Eka personally handled repairs for more than five online ride-hailing drivers’ motorcycles that needed servicing. He was even involved in addressing several cases of major repairs requiring thorough inspections.
“It feels great to be involved. We’re not just servicing motorcycles; we’re also helping ensure their safety on the road,” he said.
Amid the busyness of inspecting brakes, changing oil, and checking the electrical system, Eka witnessed firsthand how motorcycles serve as the lifeline for online ride-hailing drivers. This experience further strengthened his resolve to eventually open his own workshop—one that’s not just business-oriented but also focused on making a positive impact.
Now, with the technical and managerial experience he has gained, Eka aims to start his own workshop next year. He views his role as Workshop Manager as the final step in his professional development before becoming fully independent. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Riza Muthohar
Editor: Dhika