National internship bridges graduates and industry: Minister

hartono · Jul 22, 2026

National internship bridges graduates and industry: Minister

Manpower Minister Yassierli during a meeting on the 2026 Economic Census in Bekasi, West Java, on Tuesday (July 21, 2026). (ANTARA/HO-Kemnaker RI)

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Manpower Minister Yassierli has said the National Internship Program has become a more effective recruitment mechanism for businesses to acquire talent that meets industry needs.

“Based on feedback from corporate management, the National Internship program provides tangible benefits. Companies have the opportunity to mentor, guide, and directly assess prospective workers’ competencies before deciding to hire them,” he said in a press statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday.

He noted that on-the-job learning gives companies a clearer, more comprehensive understanding of participants' skills and job readiness before making recruitment decisions.

“It serves as a more effective talent acquisition mechanism because learning and evaluation take place simultaneously,” he added.

Beyond benefiting employers, he underscored the fundamental benefit of the program, namely offering fresh university graduates, especially those lacking work experience, an opportunity to gain practical exposure in the industrial sector.

Through the program, Yassierli added, participants can sharpen their skills, build a strong work ethic, and improve their chances of securing full-time employment.

Furthermore, he called for stronger synergy among the government, the business sector, and educational institutions in building a workforce ecosystem that is adaptable to industry needs to ensure the successful transition of internship alumni into full-time employees.

"We want the National Internship program to serve as a bridge connecting the industry's need for competent workers with young Indonesian talents ready to grow,” the minister said.

That way, he added, companies can expect a boost in productivity, while recent graduates have a better chance at securing decent work.

Following its 2025 implementation, the government has opened registration for this year's National Internship program from July 15 to 28, 2026, offering a quota of 50,000 participants toward its full-year target of 150,000 slots.

Through the program, university graduates participate in a six-month internship, receiving an allowance set to the provincial or district minimum wage.