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Internships and apprenticeship programmes: participant rights, allowances, and making the most of it

An internship is often a new graduate's first door into the working world. But not all internships are the same. Some are structured, with a mentor and a clear allowance; others are really full-time jobs labelled "internship" with no rights at all.

Resmi.ID Team · 4 min read · Updated 29 Oct 2026

Article illustration: Internships and apprenticeship programmes: participant rights, allowances, and making the most of it

Photo: Mimi Thian / Unsplash

This article explains intern rights under Ministry of Manpower (Kemnaker) rules, the national internship programme now running, and how to use an internship so it genuinely adds value to your CV.

The rules on apprenticeships

Domestic apprenticeships (pemagangan) are governed by Minister of Manpower Regulation (Permenaker) 6/2020. They must be based on a written agreement between the participant and the organiser, and last at most 1 year. The agreement is ratified by the district/city manpower office.

The apprenticeship agreement sets out the participant's rights and obligations, the organiser's rights and obligations, the programme, its duration, and the allowance amount. If an apprenticeship is not carried out under a written agreement, the rules say the participant's status becomes that of a worker at the company.

Apprentice rights

Guidance from a mentor or instructor.
Fulfilment of the rights set out in the apprenticeship agreement.
Occupational safety and health (K3) facilities during the apprenticeship.
An allowance (uang saku).
Registration in a social security programme.
A certificate or letter confirming completion of the apprenticeship.

Permenaker 6/2020 doesn't set a specific allowance figure. The amount follows the agreement and, according to widely cited explanations, should take transport, meals, and incentives into account. Note also that student internships that are part of a university curriculum have separate rules from the education ministry.

If you're asked to work full-time and chase targets like an employee, with no mentor, no written agreement, and no allowance, that isn't an apprenticeship that follows the rules. Ask for the agreement before you start.

Kemnaker's National Internship Programme

Kemnaker runs the National Internship Programme (Program Magang Nasional) through the Maganghub portal (maganghub.kemnaker.go.id) for new D3 (diploma) and S1 (bachelor's) graduates. According to the portal, internships last 6 months, with a monthly allowance equal to the local minimum wage paid by the government, plus BPJS Ketenagakerjaan coverage.

Requirements cited in an article on the Directorate General of Taxes site (pajak.go.id) include being an Indonesian citizen with an NIK and having graduated no more than 1 year before applying. The allowance is calculated per day attended, based on 22 days a month. The article also states that income tax (PPh 21) on 2026 participants' allowances is borne by the government under PMK 6/2026.

At the time of writing, the Maganghub portal shows the 2026 Batch 3 schedule: participant registration 27 October–4 November 2026, results on 13 November, and internships starting 16 November 2026. Schedules can change, so always check the official portal.

1Set up SIAPkerjaComplete your profile with accurate education details.
2Check eligibilityView your eligibility status in your Maganghub account.
3Choose positionsApply for roles that fit your major and interests.
4Go through selectionPrepare for the company's document screening and interview.
5Await confirmationSelected participants are proposed and confirmed by Kemnaker.

Making the most of your internship

Agree learning goals with your mentor in week one, for example three skills you want to master.
Ask for real tasks with results you can show, not just photocopying.
Record every project: what the problem was, what you did, and the outcome.
Ask for feedback regularly, at least once a month.
Build good relationships with the team; a mentor's recommendation is very valuable.
At the end, ask for your certificate and, if possible, a recommendation letter.

Choosing the right internship

Before accepting an internship offer, ask who your mentor will be, what tasks you'll do, what the allowance is, and whether there's a written agreement. A good programme can usually answer these plainly. Prioritise internships that give experience relevant to your career goals, not just a famous company name.

Towards the end of your internship, say so if you'd like to stay on as an employee. A simple line such as "I've really enjoyed working with this team. If a position opens up, I'd love to be considered" is enough to start the conversation.

Writing your internship on your CV

Write an internship like work experience: company name, role, dates, and two or three achievement bullets. Example: "Helped compile weekly stock reports for 3 warehouses and cleaned up 1,200 duplicate product records."

On KarirResmi, you can store up to 5 PDF CVs and use the AI CV review once your profile is at least 70% complete. When you apply after your internship, track your application status on the timeline so you know which stage it's at.

Beware of fake internships

Official internship programmes don't charge participants a registration fee. If anyone promises you'll "definitely get in" to the national internship in exchange for money, or asks for personal data via a link that isn't an official domain, ignore it and report it. Registration for the National Internship Programme is only through the Maganghub portal and your own SIAPkerja account.

References

This information is general. For important decisions, check the latest rules at official sources or consult the relevant authorities.

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