Rock Internship Program

The purpose of the 2020 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. These internship placements are competitive, and determined by a combination of factors, including but not limited to: match-making / compatibility with student ACP's and the types of available internships. For a recap of the 2019 program, click here. [NOTE: The Participating Employers listed below represent the organizations from the summer 2019 program].

The 2020 summer Rock Internship Program will last for a total of six weeks (i.e. up to 30 hours per week), beginning on June 12th with a Signing and Orientation Day. Then on June 15th, students will report to their designated worksites. Additional activities will take place at BTC's Central Campus, as well. The last day of the program will be July 31st. Additional program details are highlighted in the following sections.

The Rock Internship Program is a collaborative talent development offering supported by participating employers, 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).

Participating Employers

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 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 parental and/or legal guardian consent and be able to document said consent, by the Signing and Orientation Day.
  • 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 (NOTE: To access and download your ACP, see pages 13-15 of the Rock Internship Student Manual).
  • Students must apply online and submit a completed application (e.g. including one Letter of Reference from an existing district staff or faculty member and an electronic version of of their ACP) by no later than February 21, 2020.

2019 Capstone Presentation

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, as well as technical, support for this program - at $1,800.00 per intern [NOTE: Businesses that participated in the 2019 program are eligible to receive a rate discount; and employers that agree to host more than one intern during summer 2020 will receive a rated discount too].
  • 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.

 

Internship Calendar & Work Schedule

  • February 21, 2020: Intern applications are due by no later than 4:30 PM.
  • March 16 – April 3, 2020: Internship Coordinator conducts onsite (school) district interviews with interns. Specific times TBA.
  • April 6 – April 24, 2020: An interview between the employer and the intern, occurs onsite at the intern worksite. Specific times TBA.
  • April / May 2020: Internship Placement Confirmations
  • June 12, 2020: Signing and Orientation Day. During this event, interns will participate in various pre-employment and on-boarding activities. The first of three professional development workshops will be incorporated into this event, as well. The location for this event will be BTC's Central Campus.
  • June 15 – June 19, 2020: Week 1 of 6; interns report to their worksites. 
  • June 22 – June 26, 2020: Week 2 of 6; interns report to their worksites. 
  • July 1, 2020: Interns report to BTC's Central Campus for professional development workshops and a field trip. Instructions regarding the intern Capstone presentation will be reviewed, as well. Specific times TBA.
  • July 2 – July 6, 2020  Program breaks for the July 4th Holiday.
  • July 7 – July 10, 2020: Week 3 of 6; interns report to their worksites. 
  • July 13 – July 17, 2020: Week 4 of 6; interns report to their worksites.
  • July 20 – July 24, 2020: Week 5 of 6; interns report to their worksites.
  • July 22, 2020: Intern Capstone presentations are due.
  • July 27 – July 30, 2020: Week 6 of 6; interns report to their worksites.
  • July 31, 2020: Graduation Day event and Capstone presentations at BTC's Central Campus. Specific times TBA.
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