“We are asking companies to accept more internships,” he said on Wednesday, adding that the request was made during a ministerial-level meeting held with business players on Monday.
Iskandar further informed that he will request President Prabowo Subianto, through the Minister of Finance, to provide incentives to companies accepting internships.
This could help create synergy between companies and the government, he explained.
“I will ask the President and the Minister of Finance to provide incentives. There will be tax incentives, facility incentives, and other incentives. In the future, if possible, internships will be funded by the government,” he disclosed.
He said that internships are an ideal opportunity for skill development.
Therefore, he expressed the hope that more jobseekers will apply for them and gain valuable experience.
Internships are expected to bridge the gap between companies struggling to find workers and employment seekers facing difficulties landing jobs, he added.
“At the top-level industry level, it is difficult to find workers who meet their needs; at the worker level, it is difficult to find jobs. Therefore, the government aims to bridge this mismatch with internships, especially for the majority of graduates,” he expounded.
Iskandar said that internship programs for university students will be arranged through the Independent Campus program, while internships for educated workers seeking employment will be further enhanced.
“We will continue to make ways. Amidst a difficult industry, we will be working hard to ensure that the mismatch between educated unemployed and job opportunities does not occur,” he added.
During the meeting on Monday, the government also looked into complaints and issues faced by business actors and explored joint solutions, the minister said.
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Translator: Fath Putra M, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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