Background: Challenges such as educational disparities, high school dropout rates, and limited capacity of PKBM (Community Learning Center) managers hinder this potential. This study focuses on Bekasi Regency as the research locus, characterized by its urban-semi-urban profile and strong commitment to entrepreneurship development. Research Method: This study employs an explanatory mixed-methods approach with sequential explanatory design to analyze the relationship between entrepreneurial competencies and the empowerment of PKBM (Community Learning Center) managers in Bekasi Regency. Quantitative data were collected through Likert-scale questionnaires and validated using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) from 50 purposively sampled PKBM managers, then analyzed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 3.3 to examine causal relationships and statistical significance. Qualitative data obtained from in-depth interviews were analyzed to explore contextual aspects of quantitative findings, with validity ensured through data triangulation. Research Findings: Entrepreneurial competencies significantly influence PKBM managers' empowerment (path coefficient = 0.971, p7 years' experience) predominantly rely on trial-and-error methods (78%), while junior managers (<3 years) demonstrate greater innovation (92%) but face professional network constraints. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that entrepreneurial competencies significantly strengthen the empowerment of PKBM (Community Learning Center) managers, while revealing a generational management gap - senior managers rely more on traditional approaches whereas junior managers exhibit greater innovation but face networking constraints. The findings underscore the importance of implementing financial training, cross-generational mentoring, and digital network strengthening programs to transform PKBMs into self-sufficient institutions that support national educational development, with further research needed to adapt this model across different regions by accounting for local contextual factors and technological integration. Novelty/Originality/Value: The study successfully developed a measurable and valid competency-based empowerment model for PKBM managers, while its practical contribution lies in providing a context-specific intervention framework tailored for urban-semi-urban areas in developing countries, effectively bridging the gap between theory and field implementation. This dual academic-practical innovation makes the research both theoretically significant and immediately applicable for strengthening non-formal education in Indonesia, particularly through its actionable approach to addressing real-world management challenges in community learning centers.
Ambarini et al. (Fri,) studied this question.