Jakarta (ANTARA) – Deputy Minister of Manpower Afriansyah Noor highlighted the need for a competent, adaptive, and job-ready workforce to meet industry needs amid rapid digital transformation and artificial intelligence growth.”We are currently in an era of rapid labor transformation. The industrial sector no longer just looks for individuals holding a piece of paper, but rather for graduates who are capable and possess real competencies,” he said in a statement in Jakarta on Monday.He further noted that a college degree is no longer the sole prerequisite for entering the workforce, meaning graduates must already possess the skills demanded by the job market.”Competency certification is proof that our workforce meets the standards required by the industry,” he added.To address these challenges, the Indonesian government will once again roll out the National Internship MagangHub program, which targets recent college graduates.With a budget support of Rp4.14 trillion (approximately US$234 million), the program is designed to strengthen Indonesian graduates' competency and accelerate their transition to employment.According to the deputy minister, the internship program serves as a solution to bridge the skill gap and the mismatch between graduate competencies and the needs of the business and industrial sectors. Through the program, participants will receive various benefits, including an allowance, social security protection, guidance from professional mentors, and the opportunity to undergo nationally recognized competency certification. Noor explained that competency certification is a vital instrument for boosting the competitiveness of Indonesian workers amid increasingly fierce global competition.Furthermore, the deputy minister revealed that the national employment situation is showing a positive trend, with the open unemployment rate standing at 4.68 percent as of February 2026.Nevertheless, challenges such as technological disruption, automation, and the emergence of new competency requirements still demand a stronger training and vocational ecosystem that aligns with industry needs.In this regard, he encouraged universities to bolster collaboration with vocational training centers and industry partners.”Universities, the government, and industry players must collaborate to prepare a workforce that meets current and future job market demands,” he stressed.