Over the course of roughly one semester, 11,949 fresh university graduates gained professional experience within various industries and government ministries or agencies.
According to data from the Ministry of Manpower, the first phase of the program was supported by 1,185 participating host companies and involved 5,267 mentors.
Participants who complete the full six-month program will receive an internship certificate, while those who participate for more than three months but less than six will receive a letter of completion.
For participants, these documents are vital to demonstrate their professional experience and job readiness as they enter the workforce.
In addition to real-world professional work experience, the internship participants receive a monthly allowance equivalent to the local district or city minimum wage and are protected with social security coverage.
With various supports provided to participants, the real test is whether the National Internship program’s impact is as fleeting as its duration or if it will leave a lasting mark on the professional trajectories of aspiring young Indonesian workers.
New opportunities
For Gladys, a Public Relations graduate from the University of Indonesia (UI), interning at the Public Relations Bureau of the Ministry of Manpower served as a new opportunity for learning.
She noted that the new skills she gained from the program included public speaking, copywriting, professional etiquette, and networking.
A similar sentiment was shared by Yasmin, a Psychology graduate from Padjadjaran University (Unpad), who interned with the Human Resources (HR) Division at ANTARA News Agency.
According to her, the program has opened a new perspective for her on the media corporate world, which she described as exciting.
“I feel like this is my starting point in a new field. I used to worry that corporate work would be boring, but it's actually quite thrilling. Especially since it’s in the media industry, it’s much more enjoyable, and there is so much to learn,” she remarked.
Likewise, Zahra, an English Education graduate from the University of Singaperbangsa Karawang (UNSIKA), expressed her excitement about interning at the ANTARA Education Institute (LPA).
She even admitted to being interested in working in media, which she described as a dynamic field and an ideal place to gain insights from a variety of figures.
Internships seem to offer a new window of opportunity for fresh graduates. They are not just a way to develop professional competencies, but also a chance to discover long-dormant passions.
Securing jobs
Manpower Minister Yassierli stated that the true essence of the internship program is bridging the workforce and academia to the industrial sector.
In a broader sense, he hopes the National Internship program can serve as an effort to reduce the open unemployment rate in Indonesia.
According to the latest data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Indonesia's open unemployment rate as of November 2025 stood at 4.74 percent, down 0.11 percentage points from August 2025.
The minister also expressed hope that the internship program can help its participants secure jobs that align with their educational backgrounds and experience more easily.
The Ministry of Manpower is currently calculating how many participants were ultimately recruited by the companies or industries where they interned for approximately six months.
According to the ministry's latest data, several companies have already hired 20 to 30 percent of the participants from the first phase of the program.
Next step
After completing the internship, the next challenge for participants is applying what they have learned to their professional careers.
For Gladys, the next step after gaining this knowledge and experience is to further develop her skills and apply them in her future workplace. This experience, she added, is expected to enhance her professional credibility.
“With the skills I have gained, I have started receiving job offers, which shows that this internship has had a positive impact and is recognized as relevant experience,” she said.
In the further implementation of the National Internship program, the Ministry of Manpower is planning to increase the intern quota to 150,000.
Alongside this, the government is providing competency certification programs for participants who have completed their internships.
Participants can undergo competency tests at Ministry of Manpower training centers or Professional Certification Agencies partnered with the National Professional Certification Agency (BNSP).
Furthermore, this initiative is strengthened by the Ministry of Manpower's SIAPkerja platform, including the KarirHub feature that provides information on job vacancies in various sectors.
Amid challenging job market dynamics, the government faces a major task of keeping the spirit of Indonesia’s youth alive, helping them remain optimistic in the face of turmoil beyond their control.
Ultimately, providing paths for the next generation to grow their expertise is essential. The internship, in this light, serves as a small but significant catalyst for their professional growth.
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Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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