Jakarta (WNAM MONITORING): Deputy Minister of Manpower Afriansyah Noor said the National Internship Program is a strategic initiative to prepare skilled Indonesian workers ready to compete in the industrial sector.
He noted that public enthusiasm for the program shows growing trust in internships as an effective way to build competence and gain hands-on experience.
“Since the program was launched, public and business interest has been remarkable. This shows that internships are increasingly seen as an effective tool to develop skilled and experienced workers,” Afriansyah said in a statement on Thursday.
A total of 156,159 applicants have registered for the first batch of the 2025 National Internship Program, with 1,668 companies participating as hosts.
Afriansyah, widely known as Ferry, said the program offers job seekers opportunities to enhance their skills and readiness before entering the professional workforce.
The 2025 program covers key sectors, including food and beverage, creative and digital industries, communications, manufacturing, tourism, logistics, transportation, agriculture, and public services.
“The diversity of these sectors indicates that industries are increasingly open to internships as a form of experiential learning in real work environments,” he said.
Secretary General of the Ministry of Manpower Cris Kuntadi said the first batch of the 2025 program is divided into several stages.
Company registration and proposal submissions run from October 1–14, followed by participant registration from October 7–15. The selection and announcement will take place on October 16–18, while the internship period is set from October 20, 2025, to April 19, 2026.
In this initial stage, the ministry has allocated a quota for 20,000 fresh university graduates.
During the six-month internship, participants will receive a monthly allowance equivalent to the regional minimum wage, disbursed by state-owned banks under the Himbara network—BNI, BRI, BTN, Mandiri, and BSI.
Participants are also covered by the national social security program, which includes occupational accident and death insurance, and will receive official certificates upon completion.
The program aims to bridge the gap between education and industry and strengthen Indonesia’s workforce readiness for economic and technological transformation.
