- Indonesia plans to expand its paid internship program from 20,000 to 100,000 participants.
- Internships offer salaries matching regional minimum wages to help fresh graduates enter the workforce quickly.
- The program aims to absorb millions of new workers annually and boost formal employment opportunities.
Indonesia is set to boost job opportunities for fresh graduates by expanding its paid internship program from 20,000 to 100,000 participants. The government offers internships with salaries matching regional minimum wages to help young job seekers quickly enter the workforce. The program aims to support the growing number of new workers entering the job market each year.
The Ministry of Finance’s Director General of Economic and Fiscal Strategy, Febrio Kacaribu, shared that the government will first assess the initial batch of 20,000 interns before increasing the quota. “If the program proves successful, we will expand to 100,000 internships, each paying at least the provincial minimum wage”, Febrio said. Companies can also offer higher pay if they choose.
This initiative is part of the government’s plan to speed up the transition from education to employment, ensuring graduates do not lose productive time and can contribute to the economy sooner. With approximately 3.5 million new workers entering the job market yearly, the program aims to absorb a large portion of these young people into formal jobs.
Also Read: Indonesia Launches Garuda Schools to Strengthen STEM Learning
The Ministry of Manpower recently opened registrations for the 'Siap Kerja' internship program, targeting diploma and university graduates. The quota will be shared across provinces based on the number of graduates in each area. The registration process is straightforward, using education data linked with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology.
By promoting formal employment alongside flexible gig economy jobs, Indonesia hopes to create a more qualified workforce and strengthen its economy.
