TEMPO.CO, Yogyakarta - The Government of Yogyakarta Special Region is disbursing a budget of Rp 300 million this yeat to send high school graduates on an internship program on manufacturing to Japan.
"We are sending 150 people to be selected," said Budi Antono, Head of Yogyakarta's Manpower and Transmigration Department while briefing candidates at the Inna Garuda Hotel on Wednesday (3/27).
This is the second time the province is holding the program. The first one was in 2012 when the government sent 300 people, but only 80 people passed the screening. "The selection process was very tight," Budi said.
He said the cooperation program between Yogya and Japan aims to reduce unemployment in the province, which reaches 70 thousand people per year in 2012. He said the local government has only managed to reduce unemployment by 10 percent.
"This program is our hope to address the lack of jobs in Indonesia, especially in Yogyakarta," he said. Participants who qualify will become interns in a variety of Japan's manufacturing industries--especially textiles, for three years.
Japan was chosen because surveys showed the country is quite profitable. In the first year, interns will receive a salary of 80,000 per month. In the second year their salary will be raised to 90 thousand yen, and raised again to 100 thousand yen in the third year.
"In just three years, they can bring home around Rp 400 million. They can use the money as a capital when they get back, or they can work in Japanese companies in Indonesia," he added.
One of the interns, Taufiq, said that to join the program they are not charged with any money save for Rp 500,000 fee for health checks.
PRIBADI WICAKSONO
