The Paid Internship Program through SIAPkerja is a tangible demonstration of the government’s commitment to developing superior human resources
By: Fabian Aditya Pratama)*
The provincial minimum wage internship program, which the government will launch through the SIAPkerja platform on October 15, 2025, is a strategic step to match the needs of the business world with young, fresh graduates who have only been on the job for a maximum of one year. This program is not only an opportunity for recent graduates to gain work experience with a decent salary, but also a way for companies to attract top talent. We should welcome this scheme and encourage the business community to play an active role, as the benefits will be shared.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto in a meeting with the State-Owned Enterprise Holding Company Danantara Investment Management Agency at Wisma Danantara Jakarta emphasized that both state-owned and private companies affiliated with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry have expressed their readiness to absorb intern participants.
He emphasized that all these companies are now integrated with the SIAPkerja system, a platform designed to serve as the primary gateway for internship registration. Airlangga also confirmed that the registration system will be open starting October 15, 2025, so new graduates can immediately participate in the available recruitment process.
Under this program, the government has prepared a stimulus package in the form of a monthly allowance of approximately IDR 3.3 million for six months. The allocated budget reaches IDR 198 billion for 2025, with the same amount allocated for 2026, targeting 20,000 beneficiaries. This program, part of the 8+4+5 economic stimulus, is designed not only to provide financial assistance but also as a serious effort to equip new graduates with real-world work skills needed by industry.
Minister of Manpower Yassierli explained that the internship program will be implemented in two phases. First, companies will post internship openings on the SIAPkerja platform. After that, prospective participants will be given time to select companies that align with their interests. He added that there is no limit to the number of participating companies, as long as they have a business license and are registered with the Company Mandatory Employment Reporting System. With this open system, it is hoped that more companies will participate and that opportunities will be provided to new graduates.
Support for this program has also come from the business community. Bob Azam, Head of the Employment Division of the Indonesian Employers Association (APHI), revealed that several companies have begun registering to participate in the government’s internship program. He noted that many companies already have experience in organizing internships, including the Independent Internship program, making it easier to adapt. Azam believes this preparedness has enabled businesses to respond relatively quickly to government policies.
His optimism is also evident in his view of the government’s target. With the target of 20,000 participants, Bob believes the target is realistic, given the significant interest and capacity of the business community. He believes this program not only directly benefits participants, who gain experience and income, but also helps businesses identify high-quality talent. Businesses can directly assess the performance of interns before they are actually recruited as permanent employees.
The company’s involvement in this program demonstrates that internships are not merely a social obligation, but a long-term investment strategy in developing human resources. By providing space for new graduates to develop, the company benefits from a young, fresh, innovative workforce that meets industry needs. Furthermore, interns gain a real opportunity to understand professional work culture, hone their skills, and strengthen networks that can support their future careers.
Judging from the program’s design, the government seems to want to ensure that everyone benefits. For recent graduates, this program is a golden opportunity to enter the workforce with real-world experience. For companies, it’s a chance to recruit and develop talent to meet their desired standards. And for the government, it’s a crucial tool for maintaining economic competitiveness and narrowing the gap between education and the workforce.
Of course, the success of this program will depend heavily on the active participation of companies and the enthusiasm of the new graduates to seize the opportunities presented. It is hoped that businesses will view this program not simply as an obligation, but as a significant opportunity to invest in the younger generation. Meanwhile, participants are expected to truly utilize this six-month internship experience to learn, develop, and prove themselves.
Given the readiness of various parties, from the government, private companies, state-owned enterprises, to business organizations like Apindo, there’s strong reason to be optimistic that this program will run smoothly. We certainly want to see the 20,000 fresh graduates truly absorbed and gain valuable experience. But more than that, we also hope that this program will continue sustainably so that more new graduates receive the same opportunities each year.
Ultimately, SIAPkerja, as a paid internship registration platform for fresh graduates in 2025, is not just a digital system, but a symbol of collaboration between the government, the business world, and the younger generation. This collaboration is key to meeting the challenges of the ever-changing world of work.
Therefore, let’s encourage all parties to play an active role. Recent graduates should not hesitate to apply and take advantage of the opportunities, while companies should view this program as a path to strengthening their own future through competent young talent. With strong synergy, this program has the potential to become a significant milestone in developing a superior Indonesian workforce ready to face global competition.
)* The author is a contributor to the Nawasena Institute
