Over 8,000 Interns Withdraw; Ministry of Labour to Tighten 2026 Internship Selection Process
Jakarta - The Ministry of Labour (Kemnaker) will tighten the selection process for the National Internship Programme in the next batch following high withdrawal rates of 8,327 participants from the total accepted interns.
From the 102,696 participants enrolled in batches I through III, 4,238 interns have been recorded as inactive, whilst the number of active interns reaches 90,131.
“Essentially, we are saying that the next batch will have stricter screening, including more intensive communication with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology to inform universities through their Career Development Centres,” said Anwar Sanusi, Head of the Labour Planning Agency at Kemnaker, in Jakarta on Friday.
Anwar explained that the ministry has reviewed various reasons for intern withdrawals. Some participants quit after securing permanent employment, which is viewed positively. However, some interns withdrew because they found the internship work unattractive or misaligned with their interests.
“If they withdraw, we will cut them and they will not receive their rights as internship participants,” he stated.
Regarding batch IV implementation this year, Anwar said Kemnaker is awaiting further direction from the President, though signals suggest the programme will continue. If implemented this year, the ministry will prepare an improved and more organised scheme to maximise impact, particularly in enhancing employment opportunities for participants.
He also indicated that participant quotas for the next batch may increase from the previous target of approximately 100,000 people.
Overall, Kemnaker will undertake comprehensive reforms to the internship programme, including not only the selection process but also dispersing internship locations beyond Jakarta and involving more institutions. Both companies and institutions offering internships are asked to submit more detailed proposals outlining their internship needs so that work assignments can be clearly defined.
The presence of mentors is considered crucial to ensuring internships run effectively. However, mentor oversight systems will also be strengthened, such as through supervisor appointments by the implementing organisations.
Kemnaker also plans to improve the internship curriculum so that participant competencies can be measured. The programme will be directed towards linking with competency certification, allowing participants to gain recognition of their expertise upon completion.
Anwar emphasised that such certification is important as it equips participants for career advancement, whether they are recruited by their internship employer or when seeking employment elsewhere.
“We are confident that interest in this internship programme will continue to increase, and this has already been proven. Many institutions currently running internships are asking us, ‘Will there be another batch? Can we participate?’ This includes other companies as well,” Anwar said.