Government Allocates Rp 6.26 Trillion for National Internship Programme and to Tackle Layoffs

The Government Communications Agency (Bakom) has stated that the government is allocating a budget of Rp 6.26 trillion for this year’s National Internship Programme and vocational training for vocational school (SMK) graduates and workers affected by layoffs (PHK).

As part of the economic stimulus package for the second quarter and second half of 2026, the government is allocating Rp 4.14 trillion for the National Internship Programme for 150,000 participants and Rp 2.12 trillion for vocational training prioritised for 220,000 SMK graduates and 50,000 workers impacted by layoffs, said Kurnia Ramadhana, Acting Deputy for Partnership and Media Relations at Bakom RI, during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday.

He explained that the Rp 4.14 trillion budget will be used to finance living allowances for 150,000 interns over a six-month period. The allowance amount will be adjusted according to the minimum wage in each respective region.

The budget will also cover competency certification, training costs and mentoring at the internship sites, as well as operational support through the Ministry of Manpower’s Maganghub digital ecosystem. Kurnia noted that the government is also open to a cost-sharing scheme with partner companies, where a portion of the interns’ salaries would be borne by the companies. “With certain formulations that are currently still under discussion,” he said.

This year’s National Internship Programme will commence in July 2026 and is targeted to recruit around 50,000 participants in the first wave. The implementation will be divided into several stages until the target of 150,000 participants is reached.