350,000 Apply for National Internship Programme Batch II, Only 40,000 Pass
The Minister of Manpower, Yassierli, stated that 40,962 participants have passed the selection for the second cohort of the National Internship Programme Batch 2. Speaking at the Kick-Off for the programme in Jakarta on Wednesday, Yassierli noted that this figure was determined after the government conducted a selection process for applicants meeting the required criteria.
Based on data verified alongside the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, approximately 350,000 university graduates from the past year met the criteria and applied for the programme. “After undergoing the selection process, we have finally appointed 40,000 people as participants for this second cohort of Batch 2,” said Yassierli.
These participants add to the total number of participants in the 2026 National Internship Programme. Previously, 46,000 participants took part in the first cohort, bringing the total number of participants across both cohorts to 87,000.
Yassierli mentioned that the government will conduct an evaluation before opening Batch 3 of the National Internship Programme. The government targets a total of 150,000 participants for the 2026 National Internship Programme.
He added that the government continues to conduct evaluations to ensure the internship programme provides opportunities for participants to enhance their competence, gain work experience, build portfolios, and expand their networks during the six-month programme.
The Director General of Vocational Training and Productivity at the Ministry of Manpower, Darmawansyah, noted that successful participants had to endure intense competition, with each accepted participant competing against approximately seven to eight other applicants. He expressed hope that those who passed would complete the full six-month programme.
Darmawansyah stated that the Ministry of Manpower had previously provided orientation for interns, mentors, and company operators to ensure the programme’s implementation adheres to established regulations. He also expressed hope that the host companies would consider recruiting participants upon completion of the programme.
“We sincerely hope that the representatives from these companies can conduct selections for our young interns, and it is expected that after they complete the six-month programme, they can be recruited and work within your organisations,” he said.