National Internship Program 2026: Implementation Begins in July

Minister of Manpower Yassierli has officially closed the National Internship Program Batch 2. The first and second batches of the National Internship Program were attended by approximately 76,000 participants, with 14,000 from the first batch and around 62,000 from the second. Will there be a National Internship Program in 2026? According to the official website of the Ministry of Manpower (Kemnaker), the government aims to expand the internship program in 2026, targeting 150,000 participants. The first phase of the 2026 internship program is scheduled to commence in July, with an initial target of 50,000 participants. Subsequent phases will follow incrementally to meet the national target. ‘We encourage fresh graduates to take advantage of this opportunity to gain experience, enhance their skills, and expand their employment prospects,’ said Yassierli. Can Interns Receive BPJS Employment Coverage? Interns undertaking Practical Work Training (PKL) are eligible for Work Accident Insurance (JKK) benefits under BPJS Employment, provided they regularly pay contributions and maintain active participant status. Work Accident Insurance (JKK) is a social security programme that covers medical expenses according to the participant’s needs and cash benefits for those who suffer work-related accidents or occupational diseases. The programme is implemented nationally under social insurance principles, where participants pay periodic contributions or the government pays contributions to BPJS Employment. The objective of JKK is to ensure participants receive healthcare services and cash benefits in the event of work-related accidents or occupational diseases. Eligible JKK participants are workers not employed by government entities who have paid contributions and are active members. They include: - Wage-earning workers (PU), including those employed by private companies or legal entities, individuals, and foreign workers residing in Indonesia for at least six months - Non-wage-earning workers (BPU) aged up to 60, including employers, workers outside employment relationships or self-employed workers, interns, practical training students, contract workers, and prisoners in assimilation processes - Construction workers - Indonesian Migrant Workers (CPMI/PMI), whether placed by employment agencies or individual arrangements