Indonesia to Launch Six-Month Industrial Internship Program for New Graduates
Jakarta, Indonesia – The Indonesian government is poised to launch a six-month industrial internship program aimed at providing recent university graduates with crucial work experience and boosting their employability. The initiative was announced by Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto, during a meeting with members of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) on Thursday.
Hartarto outlined the program, stating that Kadin will be tasked with organizing internship opportunities across various industries. “We propose an Internship Student Program in the industry for six months,” he explained. “Kadin will facilitate these opportunities, offering a pathway for graduates who may not promptly secure full-time employment.”
A key component of the program is a requirement for employers to provide a stipend to interns. Hartarto emphasized this isn’t a conventional work-study arrangement. “This is an internship for graduates, and thus must be paid,” he stated. “While a full salary isn’t expected, some form of compensation is essential.” He indicated he will brief President Joko Widodo on the proposal following the Kadin meeting, noting that initial discussions with business leaders were positive.
Anindya bakrie, Chairperson of Kadin Indonesia, confirmed that this was the first time the organization had heard details of the government’s plan. He acknowledged the need for further discussion to refine the program’s implementation, especially regarding the payment structure.
“We need to discuss the details, focusing on productivity,” Bakrie said. “If the internship demonstrably improves productivity, companies will be open to reviewing payment schemes.”
Bakrie expressed optimism about the initiative,highlighting the potential for a mutually beneficial outcome. “We aim for a win-win solution,” he stated. “This program will provide young talent with valuable work experience, while concurrently bolstering the competitiveness of indonesian businesses through a pipeline of skilled labour and future regeneration.”
Keywords: Indonesia, Internship, Graduates, Employment, Kadin, Airlangga Hartarto, Economy, Workforce Growth, Job market, Skills Gap.