JAKARTA – The government continues to strengthen various policies for preparing young workers through the National Internship Program, which has proven effective in improving the competency of new graduates and opening pathways to the workforce. Many consider this program a strategic tool for reducing unemployment among productive-age students, which is still dominated by fresh graduates.
Netty Prasetiyani, a member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction, praised the Ministry of Manpower’s initiative, which she believes provides hands-on experience for university graduates. She believes structured internship opportunities are valuable assets for young people to understand industry needs and increase their competitiveness.
“We appreciate the Ministry of Manpower’s ability to provide fresh graduates with the opportunity to gain knowledge, learning, and experience through the national internship program,” Netty said.
He believes the program not only provides practical skills, but also serves as an important bridge to the world of work.
“It’s not impossible that this national internship program will become a milestone in reducing unemployment and providing opportunities for fresh graduates to find work at their internship locations,” he said.
He emphasized that the DPR will continue to support employment policies that favor the younger generation through measurable, high-quality, and sustainable programs.
Similar support came from the government. Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs Spokesperson Haryo Limanseto revealed that the National Internship Program had accepted 102,696 people out of a total of 724,880 applicants from the first to third batches. This achievement exceeded the initial target of 100,000 participants and formed the basis for the government’s continuation of the Economic Package Program in 2026.
“The government is currently finalizing preparations for the Economic Package program, which will continue in 2026,” he said.
In addition to national internships, the policy package also includes an extension of tax incentives and socio-economic support to maintain people’s purchasing power.
Meanwhile, Minister of Manpower Prof. Yassierli confirmed that the Maganghub national internship program will reopen this year. The next batch will begin in April, following the completion of the first batch.
In the previous implementation, the Ministry of Manpower allocated a quota of 100,000 trainees, divided into three batches, with placements in government agencies, state-owned enterprises (BUMN), and private companies. However, evaluations showed that internship locations were still concentrated in Java.
“This is our homework to ensure equal distribution of internship placements,” said Yassierli.
For the next batch, the Ministry of Manpower is targeting 100,000 new participants with a wider reach beyond Java, as an effort to expand access to job opportunities for young people throughout Indonesia.
