Third Frontier Internship Program

GOAL

The goal of the Third Frontier Internship Program is to develop a pool of talented workers for Ohio’s businesses, create enriching student work experiences and assist students in obtaining permanent full-time employment in Ohio after graduation. This dynamic, focused program will position Ohio to develop and retain technologies in the state that require a pool of talented, educated and skilled workers.

ELGIBILITY

STUDENTS – This initiative will link college students with Ohio companies that are commercializing new knowledge, enhance their education experience and expose them to employment opportunities within the state.

Eligible students must be Ohio residents or a student in an Ohio higher learning institution in good academic standing (2.5 GPA or above). Students must also be currently registered as a second-year tech or community college student; a sophomore, junior, or senior at a four-year institution; or a masters or doctoral candidate in high-tech graduate studies in an approved high-tech curriculum. High-tech curricula include all degree programs in the physical, biological, and agricultural sciences as well as engineering, computer science, and mathematics. Students must be at least 18 years of age when the internship begins, and if applicable, registered with the Selective Service.

Eligible students benefit by gaining a paid work experience in their field of study and can leverage their internship performance with their college education to gain full-time employment by the Ohio business offering the internship.

INTERNSHIPS – Technology-based internships for college students working with an Ohio for-profit company (i.e. a company with a physical presence in the state) may be supported with the proposed workforce funds. Eligible internships must offer at least 13 weeks of full-time employment or 26 weeks of part-time employment during any calendar year. A company may receive an internship grant for students enrolled in a four-year degree program for up to two years. A company may receive an internship grant for students enrolled in a two-year degree at a community or technical college for the period immediately following graduation or a part-time internship during their second year of school.

Sophomores attending a four-year college or university may be placed in either occupation or industry specific internships. All other internships must be industry-specific in one of the following six industry categories:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Advanced Materials
• Bioscience
• Information Technology
• Instruments, Controls and Electronics
• Power and Propulsion

BUSINESS – The State will provide a business sponsoring eligible internships up to $3,000 per year for each eligible internship opportunity. The business may receive an internship grant for the same individual student for up to two years provided the student meets the eligibility requirements each year. Internship grant funds must be matched with private funds on a one-for-one cash basis, which could equate to $12,000 in earnings over two years for the student intern.

This initiative will help businesses with their product development efforts and employee recruitment strategies. An eligible business must be registered to do business in the State of Ohio with a valid high-tech growth-oriented internship in one of the defined high-tech categories including:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Advanced Materials
• Bioscience
• Information Technology
• Instruments, Controls and Electronics
• Power and Propulsion

Businesses offering eligible internships to eligible students are integral to the success of the Third Frontier Internship Program. Students gain insightful, hands-on experience related to their field of study and businesses supporting paid work experiences to eligible students are partially compensated for wages paid during these internships. The focus of this paid work experience internship is to enable businesses to train their future workforce and eventually hire interns at their respective firms as full-time employees after the student graduates.