Internship Guideline
The Northwest PA Keystone Innovation Zone has developed the following guidelines for its Internship program. The internship program is open to KIZ companies located within the Northwest PA KIZ area (Clarion, Crawford, Mercer, and Warren counties) falling within one of the following KIZ industry clusters: Advanced Manufacturing, Clean/Green Technology, Life Sciences, and Information Technology. Internships are also available to participating NWPA KIZ higher education institutions and partner organizations which can demonstrate having a direct correlation to the activities of the KIZ.
All parties involved in the internship program should benefit from the experience. The successful completion of an internship should provide the practical, hands-on experience today’s employer requires. In turn, the employer benefits from having the opportunity to bring into its place of business a highly motivated intern who can contribute to the success of the new industry. The internship experience also provides the employer the opportunity to screen a potential permanent employee. The NWPA KIZ is offering these internships to support regional growth and provide support for local students.
The internship must deal with some form of research and development, new product development, marketing, or an activity that supports working in “real world” environments.
A job description for an Internship opportunities will be evaluated by the
KIZ Coordinator as to their appropriateness prior to their approval and acceptance as a KIZ sponsored internship. Upon approval this opportunity will be forward to the higher education institution for follow up with the company or partner. All internships will be overseen by the higher institution’s placement and management policies.
Compensation is paid by the NWPA KIZ in an amount not to exceed $3000 per intern per semester. A brief summary of the impact of the internship, including quotable testimonial information and relevant photographs, must accompany all requests for reimbursements.
Student Qualifications:
- Good Academic standing at the postsecondary level
- Be enrolled in a major and/or have experience or expertise in a KIZ related cluster
Student Internship Qualifications & Responsibilities
The student will represent their postsecondary institution as well as themselves with a very high standard of professionalism.
Maintain a Good Academic standing at the postsecondary level and be enrolled in a major and/or have experience or expertise in a KIZ related cluster industry.
Follow all procedures and guidelines of the higher institution internship program.
Employer’s Responsibilities
It is expected that students will be assigned to work with managers considered excellent by their own organizations and that these managers will serve as role models and mentors to the student interns during the internship. In addition, it is expected that students will be given a variety of meaningful work assignments during the internship as well as appropriate training and instruction for each assignment.
The employer must agree to the following stipulations
· The employer agrees to engage the student in a position related to/supportive of one of the KIZ approved clusters
· The employer will provide a job overview and responsibility list to the student
· The employer will supervise the intern on the job
· The sponsoring business may recommend dismissal for appropriate reasons or inappropriate actions upon prior notice to the appropriate higher education internship contact and/or the KIZ Coordinator
KIZ Coordinator’s Responsibilities
Upon receipt of the worksite description copies will be forwarded to the appropriate internship contact at the higher education institutions for follow up with companies.
A contract agreement between the company and the KIZ fiscal agent, the NW Commission, will be executed for reimbursement of intern cost up to $3000 per semester.
Northwest PA KIZ Worksite Description Form
Company/Organization Name ______
Website Address ______
Contact Name ______
Title ______
Address ______
City/State/Zip ______
Phone______FAX______
E-mail ______
Internship Title ______
Please attach a brief (one page) description of the internship opportunity. You must include:
Company/Organization Description: a three or four sentence description of your organization, its products and services, market scope
Internship Description: describe the primary responsibilities and duties of the intern; location; travel requirement; office/work space available
Benefits for the Student: what skills, perspectives, contact or other benefits can the intern expect to derive from the experience
Specific Expectations: what final set of “deliverables” you expect to see
Skills: what special skills must the student have in order to be successful in this position
Internship Release and Student Agreement Form
NAME ______
(Please print clearly)
Postsecondary Institution______
Student ID ______
Please indicate KIZ related Cluster your major relates to:
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____Information Technology ____Clean/Green Technology
____Advanced Manufacturing ____Life Sciences
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Internship Site ______
Dates of Internship______
1. I will be performing my student internship for the KIZ specified program
2. I will be performing this internship to gain experience in a field related to my academic and career goals
3. I will be performing this internship voluntarily and upon my own initiative, risk and responsibility
Dated this the ______day of ______, 200______
Student’s Signature______
KIZ Higher Education Verification
This document is to certify that the internship assigned to the eligible KIZ Company meets or exceeds all the qualifications of the higher education institution for internship eligibility. In addition, the student has met or exceeded all the higher education requirements and has completed all documents necessary for evaluation and close out.
Copies of Student Performance Appraisals’ and the Company’s Final Performance Appraisal are required to be forwarded along with this verification to the KIZ Coordinator to accompany the company invoice for payment.
Student Intern______
NWPA KIZ Company______
Start Date: ______End Date: ______Rate:______
Higher Education Institution______
Higher Education Contact______
Signature of Contact______
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