Rock Internship Program

The purpose of the 2018 Summer Rock Internship Program is to accelerate personal, as well as professional, skills development and career-related exposure for rising High School Seniors. This structured, earn-and-learn (paid internship) model will provide students with a meaningful, career pathway experience that will serve as a foundational element of their Academic & Career Plan (ACP); thereby, positioning students for future academic and workplace success. As such, students will gain: valuable interviewing, job searching and resume building experience; direct, career exposure at a worksite; opportunities to develop or improve communication, critical thinking, leadership and teamwork skills; and important networking connections.

The program will last for a total of four weeks (20 hours per week) and one half-day, beginning on June 12th with a Signing and Orientation Day. Students will report to their designated worksite four days per week (Monday – Thursday), where they will work a maximum of four hours per day. On Fridays (from 8 AM – Noon), students will report to Blackhawk Technical College’s Central Campus and participate in topic-specific seminars and/or supplemental ACP work. The program will conclude on July 20th.

Student applications are due by 5 PM on April 30, 2018 and internship placements will be determined by a combination of factors, including but not limited to: match-making / compatibility with student ACP and the types of available internships.

The Rock Internship Program is a collaborative talent development offering supported by Blackhawk Technical College, Rock County 5.0 and the Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board.

For additional program details, continue reading below; download the Student or Employer flyer; and/or contact Kerry Osmond, the Internship Coordinator (608.757.7728).

Student Participation & Eligibility Requirements

Students must be at least 16 years and a resident of Rock County, WI, by the Signing and Orientation Day; and be eligible to work in the U.S. and Rock County, WI.
Students must have parental and/or legal guardian consent and be able to document said consent, by the Signing and Orientation Day.
Students must be entering their senior year of High School, as identified and/or recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Instruction or an accredited education organization.
Students must have reliable transportation, ensuring full access and participation as it relates to every program obligation outlined with this manual and the Internship Program Participation Agreement.
Students must have an active ACP; be making progress toward fulfilling and/or meeting district-specific ACP requirements; and there must be alignment with the identified internship and the ACP.
Students must apply online and submit a completed application, including one Letter of Reference from an existing district staff or faculty member, by no later than 5 PM on April 30, 2018. As part of the application process, students will be required to participate in one or two interviews with the Internship Coordinator and/or the intern (worksite) employer.

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Employer Participation & Eligibility Requirements

Employers must allow individuals under the age of 18 years old into their place of business, as it concerns job shadowing and employment activities. Well supervised interns will not present a problem, provided they are not assigned to “hazardous” duties, as defined by OSHA standards. Additionally, employers must agree to consult with their insurance agents (in advance) to ensure they fully acknowledge and understand how workers compensation coverage and related liability issues will be addressed within the context of the Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Board (SWWDB) serving as the Employer of Record for this program. For more info, see visit these links: Work Contracts, Employment of Minors, Liability & Insurance and Manufacturing & Construction Equipment and Wisconsin’s Employment of Minors Laws .
Employers must agree to cover their financial share of financial, as well as technical, support for this program - at $800.00 per internship [NOTE: Businesses that agree to host more than one intern during summer 2018 will receive a financial discount.].
Employers must be in good standing; and in compliance with all applicable local, state and/or federal workplace rules and regulations.
Employers must have an established and documented safety plan.
Employers must possess a corporate culture that values professional growth and development.
Employers must have the organizational capacity to serve as an intern worksite, as demonstrated by past / current earn-and-learn participation and/or other related experiential learning activities (e.g. internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, mentoring, etc.).
Employers must offer a comprehensive, holistic internship experience that extends beyond a specific subject or core competency. For examples, an intern working for a metal fabrication business should be exposed to more than the company’s welding and fabrication operations.
Employers must assign a primary contact as the intern worksite supervisor and also provide a secondary or back-up intern contact. The worksite supervisor must participate in the intern interview process; as well as attend the Signing and Orientation Day, and the Graduation Day, events.
Employers must agree to work collaboratively and communicate frequently with the Internship Coordinator throughout the Rock Internship Program. This engagement includes, but is not limited to: intern selection and onboarding activities; onsite visits; weekly phone/email communications and related follow-ups; reviewing and signing time sheets, etc.
Employers must agree to, if requested, permit the Internship Coordinator to perform a criminal background check to authentic the character of the intern worksite supervisor.
Employers must agree to strictly adhere, as well as enforce, the program’s guidelines.

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Internship Calendar & Work Schedule

April 30, 2018: Intern applications are due by no later than 5 PM.
May 7 - May 18, 2018: Internship Coordinator conducts onsite (school) district interviews with interns. Specific time TBD.
May 21 - June 1, 2018: An interview between the employer and the intern, occurs onsite at the intern worksite. Specific time TBD.
June 12, 2018: Signing and Orientation Day event will be held, from 10 AM to 2 PM, at BTC’s Central Campus.
June 18 – June 22, 2018: Interns report to worksite Monday – Thursday, for not more than four hours per day. Interns report to BTC’s Central Campus on Friday, from 8 AM to Noon.
June 25 – June 29, 2018: Interns report to worksite Monday – Thursday, for not more than four hours per day. Interns report to BTC’s Central Campus on Friday, from 8 AM to Noon.
July 9 – July 13, 2018: Interns report to worksite Monday – Thursday, for not more than four hours per day. Interns report to BTC’s Central Campus on Friday, from 8 AM to Noon.
July 16 – July 20, 2018: Interns report to worksite Monday – Thursday, for not more than four hours per day. Interns report to BTC’s Central Campus on Friday, from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM [NOTE: The program’s Graduation Day will be incorporated into the July 20^th programming.]. Interns will also be required to submit and present a summary of their Rock Internship Program experience. Details regarding this capstone project will be provided by the Internship Coordinator.