inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Indonesian Political Indicators researcher Bawono Kumoro believes the 2026 National Internship Program has the potential to be a short-term solution to address the high rate of educated unemployment in Indonesia.

According to Bawono, the internship allowance scheme, with salary equivalent to the Provincial Minimum Wage (UMP) or Regency/City Minimum Wage (UMK), is a groundbreaking government policy that deserves appreciation, as it has never been implemented on a large scale for fresh graduates.

"The fresh graduate internship program with a salary equivalent to the provincial minimum wage (UMP) is a groundbreaking government policy that has never been implemented in the past and is certainly worthy of appreciation," Bawono said, Jakarta, Wednesday (6/24/2026).

He believes this policy comes amidst the challenge of a growing number of university graduates who are struggling to find work due to lack of work experience.

"Amidst the pressure of rising educated unemployment, an internship program with a UMP salary like this is certainly attractive and could be a short-term solution," he said.

Bawono explained that for new graduates, internship programs can be an important gateway to the world of work, building professional networks, and opening up opportunities for permanent recruitment by the companies where they intern.

He noted that one of the problems often faced by college graduates is a lack of work experience, making it difficult to compete in the job market.

"This internship program, which pays the minimum wage, can also be a solution to the long-standing problem of many college graduates lacking experience," Bawono said.

Bawono believes the successful implementation of this program has the potential to foster a sustainable national apprenticeship system.

"It's not impossible that if this program is successful, it could become a sustainable national apprenticeship program," he said.

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