YouthForce NOLA’s Virtual Internships to Provide Students Real World Experience this Summer
New Orleans, La. (May 8, 2020) - YouthForce NOLA, a collaborative that prepares New Orleans public school students for high-wage career pathways, is producing its paid internship program virtually this summer. Some 100 public high school students will receive technical training, soft skill-building instruction, and real-work experience remotely as the world of work responds to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Career exposure and training are essential parts of preparing students for success after high school, so we have pivoted to a distance learning model to continue delivering quality internships this summer,” said Cate Swinburn, president of YouthForce NOLA. “This year’s virtual program is designed to give seniors a leg up after graduation. They’ll gain real-world experience working remotely, communicating virtually, and managing time outside of an office context. These will be beneficial to anyone entering college or the workforce in the future.”
A large body of research shows that students who are exposed to careers and receive technical training are, on average, more likely to graduate high school and to be successful in college, advanced training programs, and the workplace.
“This is a challenging time for our young people, and so it’s all the more important to continue providing them with the tools, resources, and experiences that they need to thrive and prosper,” said Sunae Villavaso with the City of New Orleans, which has supported stipends for YouthForce participants since the program’s founding in 2015. “YouthForce NOLA is playing an important role in creating more equitable outcomes for our city’s young people, and we are proud to partner with them on this effort.”
Since YouthForce NOLA began five years ago, nearly 800 students have completed internships.
While we know our young people are talented, smart, and resilient, it’s clear they will be entering a different and more competitive economy as a result of this pandemic,” said City Council Vice-President Helena Moreno. “YouthForce NOLA is helping meet these challenges head on by improving outcomes for students and expanding their opportunities for after high school.”
This summer’s program will be different in that the students will participate remotely and be paired with either a technical training provider or an employer partner. The interns will be matched based on their interest in one of YouthForce NOLA’s skill clusters: Health Sciences, Digital Media/IT, Skilled Crafts, and Business Services.
Students paired with training providers, including Operation Spark, NOVAC, and New Orleans Technical Education Provider (NOTEP), will be exposed to careers and acquire valuable, industry-specific hard skills.
Students paired with employers, such as LCMC Health and Jacobs, will form small ‘consultancies’ and work together to solve a specific business problem identified by their employer.
The internship program is but one component of YouthForce NOLA’s work as the coordinator of a system-wide effort to create a pathway to prosperity for New Orleans public high school graduates. It partners with educators, employers, training providers, government, and civic organizations to empower young people and advance equitable outcomes through career exposure, skill building, and an innovative bridge year program that provides a free 13th year of instruction.
Businesses interested in hosting an intern “consultancy” can apply here or contact melissa@youthforcenola.org.
About YouthForce NOLA
YouthForce NOLA is an education, business, and civic collaborative that prepares New Orleans public school students for successful pursuit of high-wage, high-demand career pathways and facilitates systems change to ensure sustained success and equitable outcomes.