Jakarta, ThedailyID — Indonesia’s Minister of Manpower, Yassierli, proposed increasing the national internship program target to 150,000 participants in 2026, aiming to strengthen workforce readiness and expand job opportunities (April 9, 2026).
The proposal reflects the government’s effort to improve human resource quality and better align workforce skills with industry needs. The Ministry of Manpower sees internships as a key bridge between education and employment.
According to the ministry, the program has continued to grow in recent years. In 2025, participation reached around 100,000 people, showing rising demand for structured work experience.
Yassierli said the expansion will focus not only on scale but also on quality. The program aims to equip participants with practical skills, workplace exposure, and professional discipline.
“We want to ensure that internship programs not only increase in number, but also improve in quality and relevance to industry needs,” he said.
The ministry also plans to strengthen partnerships with companies across sectors. This includes expanding collaboration with private firms and state-owned enterprises to absorb more participants.
In addition, the program will prioritize sectors with strong hiring potential, such as manufacturing, services, and the digital economy. These sectors continue to demand skilled workers.
Moreover, the government aims to improve supervision and evaluation. This step ensures participants receive proper training and meaningful work experience throughout the program.
Officials also emphasized the importance of certification. Participants are expected to gain recognized competencies that can improve their employability after completing the internship.
The expansion comes as Indonesia continues to face structural employment challenges. While job creation grows, many workers still lack skills that match industry requirements.
Therefore, the internship program plays a strategic role in reducing the skills gap. It also helps young job seekers transition more smoothly into the workforce.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Manpower expects the initiative to support broader economic goals by boosting productivity and strengthening national competitiveness.
