Learning doesn't stop at the classroom, that's why the University of Virginia has partnered with Virginia Career Works - Piedmont Region to connect students to work-based learning opportunities in the Central Virginia Region.
This grant, from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), is part of a state-wide initiative to connect students with businesses to create paid experiential learning opportunities. Our goal is to stimulate public universities, community colleges, and K-12 school districts in Central Virginia to develop partnerships with local employers to place students in these roles.
Connect with the Region 9 Project Coordinators for more information and to learn how you can get involved.
State Staffing Agency and Wage Matching Program
The Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership is committed to expanding internship opportunities throughout the state. To assist in this effort, V-TOP has acquired a staffing agency and created a wage matching program to support small to midsize employers. The staffing agency is able to assist eligible Virginia employers with developing job descriptions, marketing the internships, sourcing candidates, and more! Small businesses may also qualify for the matching funds program, which provides a 50% match of an intern’s wages, including FICA, and a 50% match of additional workplace subsides. See below for employer eligibility and how to get started on this process!
Employer eligibility:
- Must be registered with the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
- Must agree to the terms specified by V-TOP and iQuasar, the designated staffing agency for the statewide program.
- Must operate a physical location in Virginia.
- Must complete 6 of the 8, free online, self-paced V-TOP modules entitled “Developing an Internship Program”.
- Must propose to hire for a “net new” internship slot. Internships shifting from unpaid to paid are considered “net new”.
- Must set an hourly wage for internships.
- Must be in business for a minimum of three years.
- Must employ 250 or fewer employees for general services with the staffing agency.
- Must employ 150 or fewer employees for matching funds consideration AND staffing agency.
- Must complete a post-internship survey.
- Must respond to a one-year follow-up survey.
To learn more about this program or to get any questions answered, please reach out to the Region 9 V-TOP Project Coordinators Maeve Konouck ([email protected]) and Kyaw Khine ([email protected]).
Need help developing an internship program? Use these modules created by SCHEV as a jumping off point.
Who We Serve
Higher Education Institutions
University of Virginia, Germanna Community College, Laurel Ridge Community College, Piedmont Virginia Community College
School Districts
Albemarle County Public Schools, City of Charlottesville Public Schools, Culpeper County Public Schools, Fauquier County Public Schools, Fluvanna County Public Schools, Greene County Public Schools, Louisa County Public Schools, Madison County Public Schools, Nelson County Public Schools, Orange County Public Schools, Rappahannock County Public Schools
Employers
Any employer located in Central Virginia with a special focus on businesses in the following industries: Biomedical & Biotechnology, Financial & Business Services, Food & Beverage Manufacturing, IT & Communications, and Manufacturing.
OUR PARTNERS
Talent Partners
The Region 9 Internship Collaborative is working with two other initiatives in Central Virginia to connect businesses with qualified students.
Talent Supply Connector: Connecting K-12 and community college students to internships and apprenticeships.
TechLink Central VA: Connecting UVA and community college students to entry-level tech careers.
contact information
To connect about UVA students, contact:
Maeve Konouck, VTOP Project Coordinator
UVA Career Center
[email protected]
To connect about K-12 students or Community College students, contact:
Kyaw Khine, VTop Project Coordinator
Virginia Career Works - Piedmont Region