TII Praises National Internship Programme as Industry Bridge, Positive Data Response

The Executive Director of The Indonesian Institute (TII), Adinda Tenriangke Muchtar, has expressed appreciation for the government’s National Internship Programme, viewing it as a positive step to broaden employment opportunities for university graduates. She stated that the programme, which began in September 2025, supports youth empowerment by providing work experience, access to companies, and income during the internship based on the Provincial Minimum Wage (UMP). “This programme supports empowerment, including job creation and ensuring that undergraduate graduates can participate in internships that provide a gateway and opportunity to relevant companies, along with income based on the UMP,” Adinda said. She added that this year’s programme deserves appreciation, noting that according to government data relayed by the Minister of Manpower and the Cabinet Secretary, 30 per cent of participants were already employed six months after their internship, earning in line with the UMP in addition to the experience gained.

While offering praise, Adinda also provided constructive feedback. She urged the government to ensure that the expansion of the quota from 100,000 to 150,000 participants is accompanied by equitable access, data-based evaluation, and a continued emphasis on meritocracy to ensure placements genuinely match business needs. She also called for the government to disclose data regarding participants’ universities of origin, regional distribution, competencies, and employment absorption rates. This transparency, she argued, would allow for proper policy evaluation and serve as a basis for refining the National Internship Programme in subsequent batches. Furthermore, Adinda stressed that evaluation should not only come from the government but must also involve the interns and partner companies. She cautioned that the planned expansion of the programme to include persons with disabilities must be matched with readiness from the business sector to ensure optimal implementation.

On the government side, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya revealed that 100,000 people participated in the National Internship Programme throughout 2025, with approximately 30 per cent being directly hired after completing their internships. “This programme serves as a bridge for new graduates to enter the workforce, while providing experience and income during the internship period,” Teddy said. The government is expanding the scope of the 2026 National Internship Programme to open opportunities for more university graduates, including professional education graduates and persons with disabilities. This move is expected to further strengthen the quality of Indonesia’s human resources while increasing opportunities for new graduates to enter the workforce.