*) By: Dian Amanda Sasmi
Human resource development continues to be a top priority for the government in strengthening the foundations of national economic growth. Amidst the increasingly rapid changes in the world of work, the government believes that educational success is no longer solely measured by graduation rates, but also by the ability of graduates to adapt and enter the workforce more quickly and productively. Within this framework, the National Internship Program (PMN) will be further expanded in 2026 as a tool to strengthen the link between education and industry needs while simultaneously opening broader career paths for Indonesia’s younger generation.
The government believes that the primary challenge for college graduates today is not only securing employment but also ensuring their competencies align with the ever-changing needs of industry. Therefore, the approach employed no longer solely emphasizes classroom learning but also emphasizes real-world work experience as part of the competency development process. Internship programs are positioned as a bridge between academic knowledge and field needs, ensuring graduates are better prepared to enter the professional world.
Minister of Manpower Yassierli positioned the National Manpower Program (PMN) as part of the government’s broader strategy to accelerate the absorption of educated workers while increasing the competitiveness of the younger generation. In 2026, the government expanded the program’s capacity with a target of reaching 150,000 participants, a 50 percent increase compared to the previous year’s 100,000 participants. The quota increase was implemented after the government observed high participant enthusiasm and the growing need of businesses for talent with initial work experience before being recruited permanently. According to the government, the program expansion is a crucial step to ensure more graduates gain access to industry experience, which has been a major challenge in the transition from education to the workforce.
Under the new scheme, participants will undergo a six-month internship at a partner company, under the direct guidance of professional mentors. The government has also expanded the scope of participants beyond undergraduate degrees to include graduates of professional education and individuals with disabilities. In addition to work experience, participants receive support in the form of a stipend tailored to the standards of their assigned region. This ensures the program serves not only as a learning tool but also provides economic support during the transition to permanent employment. The government considers this approach crucial to ensure more equitable access to industry experience for young people from diverse backgrounds.
Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya explained that the expansion of PMN stemmed from President Prabowo’s directive to accelerate the integration of higher education graduates with the needs of the workforce. The government recognized the need to shorten the waiting period for graduates to enter the job market through more adaptive and measurable mechanisms. This new approach is designed to ensure graduates gain not only administrative experience but also a learning process that is truly relevant to industry needs and opens up recruitment opportunities after the internship ends. The government is also encouraging partner companies to utilize this program as a long-term talent identification platform.
This program is also being strengthened through the use of digital platforms that enable a more integrated selection, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting process. The government considers digitalization crucial for ensuring transparency and quality program implementation across all regions. The system also allows participants to receive more measurable competency evaluations and facilitates companies in mapping future workforce needs. With an increasingly data-driven approach, internships are no longer positioned as an additional activity but rather as part of a more systematic national workforce development policy.
Darmawansyah, Director General of Vocational Training and Productivity Development at the Ministry of Manpower, believes that six months of industrial experience is crucial for building graduates’ competitiveness. He believes that structured work experience will help participants develop technical skills, teamwork skills, adapt to work culture, and understand industry dynamics, all of which are not always achieved through formal education. Therefore, the government continues to encourage the strengthening of mentoring and evaluation quality to ensure participants can maximize the benefits of the program.
The National Internship (PMN) is seen as part of a long-term investment in Indonesia’s human development. The government recognizes that future economic challenges require a younger generation equipped not only with diplomas but also with experience, adaptability, and readiness to face changes in the world of work. By strengthening relationships between universities and industry, it is hoped that more young Indonesians will be able to enter the job market with greater confidence, productivity, and wider career opportunities. From this perspective, internships are no longer merely a supplement to education, but a real bridge to more inclusive employment opportunities and economic growth.
)* The author is a domestic policy observer