The Internship Seeding Initiative (ISI) cultivates positive and productive work experiences by using a consistent model of best practices to standardize internship program quality, student training and skills development. Its core aim is to ready students for gainful employment and to fulfill ever-increasing industry demands for capable workers.

Achieving this goal requires a grassroots effort to construct internships one-by-one through high-touch employer technical assistance.

The Internship Institute relies on a collaborative approach that creates synergy among higher education institutions, business groups, community organizations, workforce agencies and economic development leaders.

ISI’s proof of concept was implemented in 2009 in Northeastern Pennsylvania with support from a $375,000 grant under the Workforce Investment in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) initiative, provided by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment Training Administration.

ISI’s success hinges on employer commitment, supervisor engagement and program sustainability. The Internship Institute has a proprietary training methodology and administrative tools to formalize programs. This proven system gives employers every advantage to manage internships as easily and as well as possible. This enables employers to increase efficiency, productivity and competency that minimize time, money and mistakes. ISI’s ultimate outcome is to create and retain a pipeline of highly skilled workers that are prepared to achieve career success.

Having today’s managers groom tomorrow’s employees is the key to bridge the workforce and economic development gap. The Internship Seeding Initiative is THE means to achieve that end.

The Internship Seeding Initiative involves a highly methodical approach to establish programs that promote sustainability and continuous improvement.