A cool morning, despite light rain, did not dampen the enthusiasm of the participants of the Pre-Retirement Training Batch 18. Since 6:00 a.m. WIB, participants consisting of husband and wife couples began arriving at Merdeka Town Site 1 Field with cheerful faces. Their advanced age did not hinder their enthusiasm to learn and face retirement with optimism through the retirement preparation training in Riau organized by Maximum Life Group (MLG Training). This program is organized with the trust of the internal committee. PT RAPP (April Group) as part of its commitment to accompany employees as they approach retirement.
At exactly 7:00 a.m. WIB, 120 participants registered. The group was then divided into three groups, each led by:
– Group 1: Mr. H. Raja Elawan Jumandri
– Group 2: Mr. Lister Siregar
– Group 3: Mr. H. Redi Rahadian
Before departure, the group leaders ensured that all members were present. The briefing was delivered by Mr. Fahrizal, Head of HR Services at PT RAPP, accompanied by Ms. Ester, the lead trainer from MLG Training, and the organizing committee. In his remarks, Mr. Fahrizal emphasized that this visit was an important part of the Riau retirement training series.
"This visit is very important. Make the most of this opportunity. What you learn during this three-day training can be combined with your current field experience to prepare for your post-retirement business," he said.
The group then officially departed with a communal prayer. Three buses took the participants on a journey of approximately three hours to their main destination: Patin Village in Kampar Regency.
Warm Welcome and Inspirational Story
At around 11:00 a.m. WIB, participants arrived at the location and were warmly welcomed by the Kampung Patin management in the Graha Fish Hall. The group was greeted with a welcome drink before entering the hall.
Mr. Suhaimi, the leader of Patin Village, shared an inspiring story about the village's journey. He recounted how the community, initially relocated from the banks of the Kampar River due to the construction of the Koto Panjang Hydroelectric Power Plant, was able to recover by building fish ponds in their yards.
Today, almost every household has a fish pond. Collectively, Kampung Patin can produce up to 15 tons of fish per day, which is marketed to various regions in Riau, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
The participants training persiapan pensiun karyawan Riau seemed very enthusiastic about the presentation. Many actively asked questions about challenges, strategies, and business opportunities. The story of the Kampung Patin residents' struggles serves as a concrete example of how hardship can be transformed into promising business opportunities—a valuable lesson for planning a more productive retirement.
Learn from the Process and Enjoy Typical Dishes
Following the presentation, participants were invited to visit the fish smoking area. They witnessed firsthand the process of processing catfish, from cleaning and slicing to arranging them in the smoker's chamber. Despite the thick smoke filling the area, the participants remained enthusiastic about learning and asking questions directly to the workers.
Before continuing the activity, the group enjoyed lunch together. Specialties like sour and spicy patin and smoked patin curry were a hit with the palate. Many participants commented positively on the taste of the dishes, and quite a few even purchased smoked fish as souvenirs.
Sungai Pinang Culinary Tour
The journey then continued to Sungai Pinang, a typical Kampar culinary destination. Participants enjoyed iced tea and Ocu El satay.
This culinary venture was founded by Zaki, an entrepreneur who has faced ups and downs in his own business ventures. Thanks to perseverance and the blessings of his parents, his business has grown rapidly, even expanding into durian farming and mobile phone sales. Today, his satay and iced tofu are among the culinary favorites on the Pekanbaru-Kampar toll road.
Valuable Provisions for a Productive Retirement
The visit to Kampung Patin and Sungai Pinang was not only a pleasant experience but also a revelation for the participants of the retirement preparation training in Riau. They learned firsthand how to face challenges, seize opportunities, and plan a more productive, independent, and enthusiastic retirement.
As a trusted vendor, Maximum Life Group (MLG Training) affirms its commitment to continue providing retirement training programs in Pekanbaru, Riau, that are practical, inspiring, and tailored to the needs of employees approaching retirement.
