Indonesia's National Internship Program Helps Industry Recruit Job-Ready Talent, Minister Says

BEKASI, Indonesia, July 21 – Indonesia's National Internship Program, known as MagangHub, is helping companies recruit job-ready talent more effectively by allowing employers to assess candidates' skills and work performance during workplace training, Manpower Minister Yassierli said on Tuesday.

Speaking during a visit to PT Adyawinsa Electrical and Power (AEP) in Bekasi, West Java, Yassierli said the program enables businesses to train, mentor and evaluate prospective employees before offering them permanent positions.

The minister, accompanied by Manpower Ministry Secretary General Cris Kuntadi and Director General for Vocational Training and Productivity Development Darmawansyah, also met eight former internship participants who have since been hired as full-time employees by the company.

"Based on feedback from the company's management, the National Internship Program has delivered tangible benefits. Companies can mentor and assess candidates directly before making recruitment decisions," Yassierli said.

He said the workplace-based learning model provides employers with a clearer picture of participants' competencies, work ethic and readiness, making recruitment more efficient and better aligned with industry needs.

The program also benefits recent graduates, particularly university alumni with limited work experience, by providing practical industrial exposure, professional mentoring and opportunities to strengthen both technical and soft skills, Yassierli said.

According to the minister, the successful transition of internship participants into permanent employment highlights the importance of closer cooperation between the government, industry and educational institutions in developing a workforce that matches labour market demand.

"We want the National Internship Program to become a bridge connecting industry demand for skilled workers with Indonesia's young talent. In doing so, companies can improve productivity while graduates gain greater access to decent employment," he said.

Several former participants who have secured permanent jobs at PT AEP said the program had helped them apply knowledge gained at university in a real industrial environment while improving discipline, professionalism and confidence through mentoring and soft-skills training. (Jamil)