By: Dhita Karuniawati )*
The transition from education to the workforce remains a significant challenge for many new graduates in Indonesia. On the one hand, companies require workers with experience and ready-to-use competencies. On the other hand, most fresh graduates struggle to gain initial work experience due to limited opportunities to enter the formal industry. This situation creates a paradox that has the potential to increase the educated unemployment rate.
In this context, the National Internship Program is a key government strategy to bridge the gap between education and job market needs. This program not only provides real-world work experience to new graduates but also opens broader access to formal employment opportunities across various industrial sectors.
The government, through the Ministry of Manpower, continues to strengthen the implementation of the National Internship Program to ensure its benefits are more evenly distributed across Indonesia. One key focus is to avoid a concentration of interns in certain regions, particularly Jakarta and Java, thereby increasing opportunities for graduates in other regions.
Manpower Minister Yassierli stated that the government is striving to implement a more proportional distribution of internship participants based on the distribution of university graduates in each province. This policy also takes into account the number of companies offering internship opportunities in each region, ensuring more effective equitable distribution.
This step has strategic significance for national workforce development. Many graduates from the regions have chosen to move to Jakarta because they perceive greater career opportunities. As a result, job seekers have concentrated in the capital, fueling fierce competition, while the industrial potential in the regions has not been optimally utilized.
With a more equitable distribution of internships, college graduates have the opportunity to gain professional experience without having to leave their hometowns. In addition to reducing the urbanization of the workforce, this policy can also strengthen the local industrial ecosystem by providing competent human resources.
An internship program is essentially an investment in human resource development. During an internship, participants not only learn the technical aspects of the job but also gain experience in organizational culture, professional communication, work discipline, team collaboration, and problem-solving skills. These competencies are often the differentiating factor when graduates enter the formal workforce recruitment process.
For companies, internship programs also offer benefits because they serve as a means of identifying potential talent before the permanent recruitment process. Companies can directly assess participants’ abilities, adaptability, and work ethic, reducing the risk of recruitment errors.
The government itself is targeting a gradual implementation of the National Internship Program, reaching 150,000 participants. The initial phase, scheduled for 2026, is planned to begin with a target of around 50,000 participants as part of an effort to expand access for college graduates to quality work experience.
In addition to ensuring equitable distribution, the government is also emphasizing the principle of inclusivity in implementing the program. Minister of Manpower Yassierli emphasized that opportunities to participate in the National Internship Program must be equally accessible, including to graduates with disabilities and those from diverse study backgrounds. This affirmative action approach ensures that all groups in society have equal opportunities to improve their competency and competitiveness in the job market.
This inclusive approach aligns with the needs of the modern workplace, which increasingly values diverse talent. Companies now look not only for academic ability but also for adaptability, creativity, collaboration skills, and diverse perspectives in solving business challenges.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that the fourth batch of the national internship program will be implemented in July 2026 for 150,000 participants with a budget of IDR 4.14 trillion.
This certainty was agreed upon after Airlangga and several ministers from the Red and White Cabinet, including Minister of Manpower Yassierli, held a meeting to discuss several stimulus packages for the public in the second half of 2026.
Amidst technological advancements and shifting economic structures, work experience is becoming increasingly important. Many companies consider experience a key criterion in their selection process. Therefore, internships are an effective alternative for recent graduates to build a professional portfolio and expand their network in the industry.
The success of the National Internship Program also requires synergy from various parties. Universities need to adapt their curricula to industry needs to ensure graduates possess relevant competencies. The business sector needs to expand its participation as internship partners by providing a quality learning environment. Meanwhile, the government plays a liaison role, ensuring the placement process is transparent, proportional, and equitable.
If managed consistently, the National Internship Program will be more than just a short-term training program, but rather a transitional ecosystem that accelerates the development of a professional workforce. This program can serve as a bridge connecting education with the formal job market, reducing the skills gap and increasing national productivity.
With equal opportunities, expanded quotas, and a commitment to inclusivity, the National Internship Program has the potential to become a strategic tool in preparing Indonesia’s young generation for the increasingly competitive job market. For recent graduates, internships are no longer just additional experience on their curriculum vitae, but rather a gateway to a professional career and a more promising future.
*) The author is a contributor to the Indonesian Strategic Information Study Institute