National Internship Program Ignites the Youth's Energy

In this op‑ed, Mulya Amri argues that Indonesia’s new national internship program is a strategic response to high youth unemployment and the widening gap between academic training and industry needs. By turning graduates’ “waiting period” into a structured “learning period,” the initiative aims to build real work experience, strengthen soft skills, and create pathways into long‑term employment.

He frames the program as a proactive policy in a world where many countries face severe youth joblessness, and highlights its potential to form a nationwide work‑learning ecosystem through collaboration between government, business, and universities. Its success, however, depends on strong implementation, credible certification, and safeguards to ensure internships remain meaningful learning experiences rather than cheap labor.

This post contains a summary from the article Magang Nasional: Menyalakan Energi Generasi Muda published by detik.com, 21 October 2025.