Third Batch of Internship Programme Set to Open, Fresh Graduates Reveal Unexpected Fact
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The government plans to reopen the National Internship Programme for its third batch in 2026 with a larger quota. The programme is proposed to accommodate up to 150,000 participants, an increase from the previous year, as an effort to reduce unemployment and open job opportunities for new graduates.
However, behind this grand plan, an unexpected fact has emerged in the field. Several fresh graduates admitted they were unaware of the government’s internship programme, even though it is specifically aimed at those who have just graduated and are seeking work.
Fio, one of the job seekers, admitted she had never heard of the programme before.
“Not yet, I don’t know,” said Fio when met by CNBC Indonesia at the Mega Career Expo, Jakarta, on Friday (17/4/2026).
After receiving an explanation that the programme offers work experience as well as wages equivalent to the regional minimum wage (UMR), she immediately expressed interest in participating.
“Definitely interested, when will it open?” she said enthusiastically.
She also confirmed she would try to register if the programme reopens, especially if she hasn’t found a job yet.
“Yes, I’ll definitely try if it’s from here, or if I haven’t received a job call yet,” she said.
Similar admissions came from Amar. He even thought the programme was only for students still in university.
“I’m not sure, is it for those still studying or for graduates looking for work?” he said.
After learning that the programme is open to graduates seeking work, his interest immediately increased, especially with the assurance of a salary.
“Very interested, does it pay?” asked Amar.
When explained that participants would receive wages equivalent to UMR, Amar said he would join if he hasn’t found work by the time the programme opens.
“Interested, if I haven’t got a job yet,” he continued.
On the other hand, there are also job seekers who already know about the programme but haven’t had the chance to join because they just graduated. Keysha, for example, said she already knew about the programme from the beginning.
“I know, I’ve known,” said Keysha.
“But I haven’t tried it, because I just graduated yesterday. So I haven’t had the chance yet. If it opens again, I’ll definitely join, the pay is decent at UMR too. If we perform well at work, apparently we can continue working there, but it depends on the company. Hopefully,” she said.
She also confirmed she would try when the programme reopens. “Yes, I’ll definitely try if it opens later,” she said.
Meanwhile, Rosi also said she had known about the programme from her family since the beginning, but could only join this year.
“I’ve known, my parents and sibling already gave me the info from when the programme hadn’t started yet. But I hadn’t graduated back then. For this year, I’ll definitely try to join,” said Rosi.
Previously, the Minister of Manpower (Menaker) Yassierli stated that the National Internship Programme for 2026 is still in the proposal stage and does not yet have budget allocation.
“The National Internship Programme (2026) indeed isn’t in the budget yet. So we have to propose it,” said Yassierli when met at the Parliamentary Complex, Jakarta, on Thursday (9/4/2026).
He explained that the proposal for the programme is still in the early stages and must go through coordination and verification processes with the Ministry of Finance.
“It’s been proposed, but that’s just the initial stage. After that, there will naturally be coordination and verification from the Ministry of Finance. We’ll follow that,” he said.
The government is proposing an increase in the number of participants to around 150,000 people, up from about 100,000 in the previous year, in line with the high public enthusiasm.
“(There is) a (budget calculation), but I forget the exact figure. So we’re proposing it. Because of the extraordinary enthusiasm, we’re proposing—this is just a proposal—150,000 people,” he said.
However, the government cannot yet confirm when the programme will start running.
“We’ll wait first, we can’t decide. Because there’s a process. Last year, we started in October (2025). And actually, the third batch (of the National Internship Programme for 2025) will only finish in May,” he explained.