By: Yusuf Rinaldi)*
Amid the major challenges faced by university graduates in entering the workforce, the National Internship Program initiated by the Indonesian government represents a concrete step aimed at closing the gap between graduates’ competencies and the needs of industry. In an effort to address the high rate of educated unemployment, the government has prepared a large quota for new graduates to join the internship program in 2026. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya announced that the government will provide at least 100,000 internship slots, with the program set to begin in mid-2026.
Through this program, the government not only opens opportunities for fresh graduates to gain real work experience, but also ensures that the skills acquired by participants align with the needs of the business and industrial sectors. The program provides much-needed experience for graduates who often struggle to find employment due to a lack of prior work experience.
Teddy Indra Wijaya explained that one of the main objectives of the National Internship Program is to address the gap between the competencies of university graduates and the demands of the labor market. Many graduates possess strong theoretical knowledge, yet often lack the practical skills required by companies. Through this internship program, participants are trained directly within companies or government institutions, gain hands-on work experience, and receive guidance from experienced mentors.
It is important to note that internship participants also receive allowances in accordance with the local City/Regency Minimum Wage (UMK) at their placement location. This provides economic support for new graduates during the internship period. Moreover, participants are also covered by social security protections, such as Work Accident Insurance (JKK) and Death Benefits (JK), which offer a sense of security throughout the program.
Minister of Manpower Yassierli stated that the internship program is a crucial instrument in preparing a competent and competitive workforce. Through the experience gained during the internship, participants not only acquire the technical skills needed in the field, but also develop a deeper understanding of workplace culture in the business sector. In the long term, this will better prepare graduates to face competition in an increasingly competitive global labor market.
In addition, Yassierli noted that the number of internship partners, both from the private sector and government institutions, will continue to increase. As the number of partners grows, opportunities for university graduates to participate in the internship program will also expand. This is certainly good news for new graduates who wish to sharpen their skills before fully entering the workforce.
Secretary General of the Ministry of Manpower, Cris Kuntadi, assessed that the National Internship Program provides dual benefits. On one hand, companies and government institutions that serve as internship partners gain additional manpower that can help boost productivity. On the other hand, new graduates obtain highly relevant and structured work experience, which can serve as valuable capital in securing permanent employment after completing the internship.
Cris also emphasized that the internship program is not merely an administrative activity. The government ensures that every participant gains real work experience necessary to prepare them for the professional world. In fact, in several Technical Implementation Units (UPT) within the correctional system, such as in the Nusakambangan Island area, interns are placed in highly disciplined work environments, providing experience that meets industrial standards.
As stated by Cris Kuntadi, many university graduates struggle to enter the workforce simply because they lack work experience. The National Internship Program offers a concrete solution to this problem by providing opportunities for new graduates to gain experience across various fields, ranging from the public sector to private enterprises. The government not only provides practical experience, but also ensures that the program is implemented under strict supervision to maintain the quality and relevance of the experience received by participants.
Furthermore, by involving various sectors—both public and private—the program opens greater opportunities for participants to secure permanent employment after completing their internships. The government hopes that companies will recognize the quality of interns and consider them as potential permanent employees. This creates a win-win solution for all parties: companies gain trained workers, while interns obtain the jobs they aspire to.
With a quota of up to 100,000 participants in 2026, the National Internship Program has significant potential to strengthen Indonesia’s economy through improvements in the quality of human resources. Through this program, university graduates are not only given opportunities to learn, but also to grow, adapt, and innovate in an increasingly dynamic world of work.
)The author is an economic observer