Jakarta City Council Chairman, Khoirudin supports pre-employment internship program for high school and vocational school graduates initiated by Jakarta Manpower, Transmigration and Energy Agency to decrease jobless number.

Khoirudin added that he also supports a six-month internship program for high school and vocational school graduates who will be placed in various companies and regionally-owned enterprises (BUMD). Program participants will also receive a monthly allowance of up to Rp 2.5 million.

"This internship program is good for job preparation. Maybe some of the interns will perform well and get hired right away," he said, Thursday (10/30).

Not only the internship program, Khoirudin also encouraged the agency to continue developing various skills training that could open up job opportunities.

"As for example, barista training is a hot topic. After completing the training, many are accepted for jobs, even abroad, such as in Morocco. Similarly, there's a demand for drivers in Japan. Transjakarta and Ancol will collaborate on the training center, so prospective workers can obtain driver's licenses and skills that meet international standards," he explained.

Khoirudin hopes that these various efforts can gradually reduce unemployment rates.

"We want the decline to be gradual, at least one percent next year. The target is that by Jakarta's 500th anniversary, the unemployment rate will have returned to normal at around three percent," he stated.