The National Internship Program Demonstrates the Government’s Commitment to Preparing Superior Human Resources
Jakarta – The government continues to strengthen its human resource development agenda through the launch of the National Internship Program. This program is designed to provide work experience for university graduates while strengthening the relationship between education and the business world.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Manpower, Cris Kuntadi, revealed that 451 companies have registered to participate in the National Internship Program. This program is implemented through a collaborative scheme between universities and the business world, as an effort to create a ready-to-work and competitive workforce. “The program will be implemented through a collaborative scheme between universities and the business world. The National Internship Program aims to introduce graduates to the world of work, improve competencies related to their fields of study, and provide work experience so that graduates have a greater opportunity to be absorbed in the job market,” said Cris Kuntadi in Jakarta.
He added that the National Internship Program is part of the 8+4+5 Economic Package for 2025 launched by the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs under the direction of President Prabowo. This program targets diploma and bachelor’s degree graduates who have graduated within the last year. As a form of government commitment, interns will also receive a stipend equivalent to the minimum wage, distributed directly by the government through the Himbara Bank. This scheme demonstrates the government’s commitment to the younger generation seeking work experience while preparing for the industrial world.
Several labor experts consider this national internship program a crucial breakthrough in reducing educated unemployment. Professor Hadi Subhan, a law expert from Airlangga University, believes the policy is strategic in strengthening the link and match between education and the world of work. “This national internship program is excellent. It has many benefits, including improving intern competencies, strengthening the link and match, and reducing unemployment among new graduates,” he said.
Similarly, labor observer Professor Payaman Simanjuntak emphasized the importance of company follow-up with interns after the program ends. He hopes companies can directly recruit high-performing interns or help channel them to micro and small companies in need of trained workers. “The government needs to encourage medium and large businesses to participate, as currently the number of companies offering internships is still limited and concentrated in the industrial sector,” Payaman explained.
The National Internship Program is expected to be a catalyst for strengthening the competitiveness of Indonesia’s young workforce, while also addressing the challenge of educated unemployment, a persistent problem in various regions.
