150,000 Graduates to Join 2026 National Internship Programme with Cabinet Secretary Teddy

The Ministry of Manpower has officially launched the 2026 National Internship Programme (PMN), targeting the recruitment of 150,000 participants. The launch took place on Monday (29/6), with Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya stating the initiative was born from a directive by President Prabowo Subianto. The primary goal is to ensure that university graduates do not remain unemployed for long, but can immediately enter the workforce and earn an income.

Through PMN 2026, recent graduates will be placed for six months at partner companies. During the internship period, participants will receive a wage ranging from Rp3.5 million to Rp6 million per month, adjusted to the regional minimum wage (UMR) in their placement area. “Each participant will be mentored directly by mentors or senior employees at the company to enhance their competence. This year’s programme is also more inclusive, covering not only bachelor’s degree holders but also professional degree graduates and persons with disabilities,” Teddy said in an official statement on Monday (29/6).

For comparison, the previous year’s PMN programme involved 100,000 participants placed across various companies in Indonesia. “This year, the quota has been increased to 150,000 people. They will intern at around 8,800 companies, ranging from state-owned enterprises to private firms,” he explained. An evaluation of the first batch showed positive results, with 30% of the 100,000 participants, or 30,000 people, being immediately hired as permanent employees after completing their internships. A further 30% are still in the recruitment process and are expected to be hired within the next two to three months. “So PMN truly serves as a bridge for new graduates to work and earn a salary as quickly as possible,” Teddy emphasised. By increasing the number of participants and partner companies, the government aims to make PMN a key strategy in reducing the unemployment rate among new graduates. The programme is also expected to strengthen the skills of young Indonesian human resources to better prepare them for entering the industry.