Governor Announces 'Next Generation' Internship Grants
Internship program connects hundreds of students with job opportunities
Castleton, Vt. - At Hubbardton Forge today, Governor Jim Douglas announced 14 Next Generation grants that will allow nearly 500 high school and post-secondary students to participate in career development internship programs.
This year's grants, totaling $530,000, are part of the Next Generation college scholarship and workforce training initiative proposed by Governor Douglas and passed by the Legislature in 2007. Last year, the program provided more than $800,000 in internship grants and connected 670 students with career opportunities.
"This initiative reflects our commitment to building a stronger, more innovative economy by investing in the next generation of working Vermonters," Governor Douglas said. "This year's grants will connect nearly 500 young Vermonters with real world training and high wage, high skill career opportunities that will keep them here, help our economy grow and our families prosper."
This year, the Next Generation initiative-a key component of the Governor's Affordability Agenda-includes $3.8 million for college scholarships, $3.3 million for workforce training programs and $0.5 million for a loan forgiveness initiative for Vermonters pursuing health care careers. Over the last several years, the initiative has invested more than $24.6 million in providing the next generation of working Vermonters with the skills they need to succeed and prosper in the 21st Century.
The Governor was joined by representatives from Hubbardton Forge, Southern Vermont College and other grant recipients.
Hubbardton Forge is receiving an $8,000 grant to collaborate with the Business Administration Department of Castleton State College to provide internships for up to nine post-secondary student interns in manufacturing management. The company hopes to hire some as full-time employees after graduation.
Southern Vermont College, now in its second year of funding, received a $31,991 grant and plans to serve more than 30 regional employers annually, providing approximately 120 interns. In their first year, the college established an Office of Internships to administer their program and connected 52 students with opportunities at 24 businesses.
A summary of the remaining Next Generation internship grant recipients follows.
OTHER INTERNSHIP GRANT RECIPIENTS:
Johnson State College-$27,838
Johnson State will partner with Lamoille County Mental Health and Laraway Youth and Family Services to create a Behavior Interventionist curriculum and a 240 hour internship. In the pilot year, eight students will participate in the three credit academic course and the three credit internship.
Vermont Youth Conservation Corps-Green Mt. Internships-$40,000
In its second year of funding, VYCC will expand the Green Mountain Internship Program to enroll 50 students throughout Vermont. Students will be placed in green industry internships, including waste management, natural resource management/protection, energy efficiency or conservation, and other environmental technologies and business initiatives.
UVM Office of Nursing Workforce, Research, Planning and Development - $40,000
During the second year of funding, 21 nursing students will be enrolled in an on-line Licensed Nursing Assistant course, after which they will participate in the clinical portion of the approved LNA course at the Barre Technical Center. Students will then be hired as LNAs in long term care and home health agencies for the summer of 2009. They may be hired on a full-time, part-time or per-diem basis and may continue to work for the facility as their nursing studies allow during the academic year.
Kelliher Samets Volk - $4,855
The Kelliher Samets Volk (KSV) internship program will provide a minimum of 4 post-secondary students per semester with internships related to media buying, brand management, public relations and graphic design. Students will experience real workplace expectations by completing a long term project that supports the intern's interests and KSV's needs, with a goal of moving 20% of interns into paid positions with KSV.
Norwich University - $35,738
During its first year of funding, Norwich University hired an Internship Coordinator who is responsible for developing a comprehensive internship program. During this second year, 16-32 interns will be placed in architecture, engineering, environmental services, and financial services. Norwich will provide follow-up for at least three years after graduation to track former intern employment activity.
Burlington College - $46,700
Burlington College's Gateway to Leadership is a new internship and career development program to prepare students for organizational leadership through real application of skills. It will focus on how to apply knowledge and skills in language, writing, research, organization, critical analysis and reflective thinking to positions in business, technology, management and administration. Their goal is to place 30-50 students per year.
American Precision Museum - $18,745
During Phase II of the Machine Shop Internship Program, the American Precision Museum will create 2 new internship levels: Level 1 interns will train and manage the Level 2 interns. Interns run the working machine shop during the exhibit season, produce small machined pieces and incorporate demonstrations on historic machines (ca 1850 and later) as well as contemporary computerized numerical control machines.
VT Businesses for Social Responsibility - $59,896
The VBSR Internship Program provides students at Vermont colleges and universities and Vermont residents with opportunities to experience internships with VBSR member businesses. In year 1, VBSR hired an Internship Coordinator who will continue to work with students and member businesses, developing internship experiences that align with each student's education, skill set, and employment goals with a member business's needs. VBSR plans to place 30 interns for a minimum of 250 hours during an academic semester or summer months.
ReCycle North - $19,837
ReCycle North will provide internship opportunities for 20 students with a range of disabilities who are at risk of 'falling through the cracks'. Students will be placed in the following areas: appliance repair, computer systems, office administration, or retail and will acquire job hunting, communication, and workplace skills.
Vermont Technical College - $25,000
Vermont Technical College will create an office of Internship Development in order to expand their internship offerings and maintain their 98% placement rate. Internships will be created in areas such as: Sustainable Design and Technology, Diversified Agriculture, and weatherization and renewable energy systems. The college hopes to place 30 interns during the grant period.
Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce - $4,124
The Program to Inspire Leadership Opportunity and Thought (PILOT) involves high school juniors and focuses on community involvement, career exploration and internship placements. This award supports the internship component and provides internship training to students. Approximately 6 students will be placed for 40 hour internship experiences with LCRCC member companies representing several industry sectors based on student interest.
Linking Learning to Life (LLL) - $167,276
In this second year, LLL will continue the growth and development of a consistent statewide program model providing secondary students internships across the state of Vermont. LLL is partnering with seven regional Workforce Investment Boards acting as intermediary organizations to connect students and schools with employers. Approximately 100 students will participate first in 20 hours of pre-employment skills training, then will be placed in an internship with a local employer for approximately 40 hours over several weeks.
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