Deputy Minister: National Internship Programme Sharpens Graduates' Competencies

Deputy Minister of Manpower Afriansyah Noor has stated that the National Internship Programme, known as MagangHub, serves as a platform for university graduates to sharpen the competencies required in the professional world. “Through MagangHub, participants not only strengthen their expertise in their respective fields but also hone various skills increasingly needed in the workplace, such as communication, leadership, creativity, digital literacy, emotional intelligence, and work ethic,” Afriansyah said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday. He further explained that the programme is a strategic instrument to bridge the gap between the competencies of university graduates and the needs of the business and industrial sectors. According to Afriansyah, the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation has rapidly changed the employment landscape. Therefore, the learning system must not only focus on theoretical mastery but also provide direct experience through practice in a work environment. “This programme is designed to prepare university graduates to be more ready to enter the job market with competencies that match industry needs,” said the Deputy Minister. Afriansyah added that the government is continuously improving the quality of the National Internship Programme through various enhancements, including expanding access for professional education graduates, providing certification benefits through the National Professional Certification Board (BNSP), and strengthening partnerships with the business and industrial sectors. “Let us make internships a collective movement to produce Indonesian workers who are competent, productive, have character, and are ready to face future challenges,” he stated. Furthermore, the Ministry of Manpower is committed to establishing cooperation with various stakeholders, including the business and industrial sectors as well as universities. One such collaboration is with the Corporate University of the National Institute of Public Administration (LAN) to enhance participants’ work readiness through the development of competencies and soft skills needed in the workplace. The strengthening of the National Internship Programme was realised through the organisation of the ‘MagangHub Festival’, a collaborative platform for the government, universities, and the private sector to improve the competencies and work readiness of internship participants. Head of the National Institute of Public Administration, Muhammad Taufiq, said that the internship programme is not merely a means of work practice but also a learning space to shape competencies, character, and the readiness of the younger generation to face change. According to him, the collaboration between the National Internship Programme and LAN Corporate University is a strategic step to strengthen a culture of lifelong learning while enriching participants’ experiences through various soft skills development programmes. “Internship participants become part of the organisation. They not only work but also learn to understand values, work culture, and develop skills that can be applied across various fields,” Taufiq said.