Growing the Region's Talent Through Internships

In today’s knowledge-driven, global marketplace, true worth derives from concentrations of innovative thinking, entrepreneurial drive and well-educated workers. In this global economy, human capital is one of the most important assets for businesses. It is important to recruit, develop and retain talent to remain competitive. This is why starting an internship program, or growing one already in place, is so important. Internships provide more than a chance for a student to gain hands-on experience in a field; they give companies access to fresh talent and raw ambition while strengthening the local economy.

On the campuses of our region’s colleges, universities, and technical schools, young adults eagerly gather and store knowledge as they wait for the opportunity to make good use of it in the “real world.” These students already have ideas of how they will make a difference, whether through their technical savviness, their knack for problem-solving or their love of research. They are just waiting for their moment to shine.

“Internships are the number one way you can have a continued impact on economic prosperity,” says Daniel C. Colantone, president and CEO of The Greater Akron Chamber. “We want to see our young talent stay here.” Giving students opportunities to see what local businesses and the region have to offer encourages them to build their futures here, Colantone says.

Internships can also enhance what is known as the “talent dividend” within a region. The Greater Akron Chamber is proactively working to build its talent dividend through goals such as identifying, developing, and engaging next-generation business leaders in the region’s economic development delivery system. Collaboration with regional businesses is a key to reaching such goals. Local businesses can make a difference by placing capable student interns, who will enhance your company’s productivity, while interns gain the skills needed to be the future workforce who will drive our regional economy.

Whether your company is considered to be large or small, and whether you are developing solutions for millions of people or producing a product for a few thousand, you can build a successful internship program with positive effects that will ripple beyond your office. Inspiring students, increasing your company’s know-how and playing a role in building our region’s talent dividend: These are the ideal reasons to establish an internship programs.

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