In a statement issued in Jakarta on Wednesday, Yassierli said internships, both domestic and overseas, serve as a strategic tool to prepare a skilled workforce ready to enter the labor market, while addressing employment challenges, including high unemployment and the annual increase in new labor force entrants.
“Internships are part of the solution for preparing the workforce of the future. Through internships, participants gain direct industry experience while enhancing their competencies,” Yassierli said.
Regarding overseas internship programs, particularly the Indonesia–Japan scheme, he stressed the importance of clearly defining the roles and performance of Sending Organizations to ensure the program operates effectively, fairly, and with participants’ interests as the top priority.
He also emphasized that internships are temporary and intended for skills enhancement, and therefore must be professionally managed without imposing high costs that could limit access, especially for participants from low-income families.
“I want to stress the importance of integrity, transparency, and accountability throughout the entire process, from regulations to permits. Practices that do not align with good governance principles must be corrected,” Yassierli added.
He further called on all stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and synergy among Sending Organizations to support the success of the internship program and better serve the nation’s youth.
Looking ahead, Yassierli outlined three priorities for strengthening the internship program: refining regulations and permit processes, reinforcing an integrated single-data-based ecosystem, and developing post-internship programs.
Meanwhile, Darmawansyah, Director General of Vocational Training and Productivity Development at the Ministry of Manpower, said the Indonesia–Japan internship program is a key instrument in enhancing competencies, productivity, and industrial work ethics.
He noted that the program focuses not only on technical skills but also on shaping participants’ character.
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Translator: Arnidhya, Azis Kurmala
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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