Jakarta – A certified internship program is being offered to 9,000 university students to provide them with first-hand job experience.
State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Rini Soemarno said on Wednesday the six-month internship program was designed to prepare students to be competitive in the job market.
"The program is included in the SKS (semester credits system) of their schools," Rini said on the sidelines of an event in Tasikmalaya, West Java, as quoted in a press statement by the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry.
She said the program, which involves the participation of SOEs, took place successfully last year, providing students with professional experience. Furthermore, she expressed hope that the participants of this year's program could work in SOEs after they graduate from university.
The program was designed to bolster the relationship between industries and private and public universities.
In addition to obtaining certificates after completing the internship program, students would also receive a payment and have the opportunity to work in SOEs, the minister said.
Last year, the program began on May 20, involving 1,687 university students and 40 SOEs. This year, it will invite 9,000 students from 231 universities. A total of 4,280 students have already been selected to intern at 113 SOEs.
Rini said the program would recruit 20,000 participants by 2020 and involve 142 SOEs in all parts of the country. (bbn)