Bill Mayer, Vice President of Entrepreneurial Services for Ann Arbor SPARK sits down with Chris Holman to discuss a statewide internship program for STEM students.
For the past month or so, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has been partnering with Ann Arbor SPARK to launch the Michigan STEM Forward internship program on a statewide level. SPARK has run the program on a local level through the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti SmartZone with a decade of positive results.
In scaling the program up, MEDC will work in partnership with SPARK to place 425-450 STEM students currently attending Michigan colleges annually into STEM-focused internships throughout Michigan. With the support of a $1.5 million grant approved today by the MSF Board, SPARK will contribute to 50 percent of the interns’ pay, and participating companies will pay the remaining 50 percent. SPARK will track the employment status of the interns for at least 12 months to measure their retention in Michigan as well as those remaining in those knowledge positions.
Watch the full interview now!
About Ann Arbor SPARK
For more than 15 years, Ann Arbor SPARK has served the greater Ann Arbor region as a catalyst for economic development. We accomplish this by building awareness of the region as a destination for business and manufacturing development and growth. Our team of knowledge experts attracts, develops, strengthens, and invests in driving industries to help our communities prosper.
Economic Development requires collaboration, and SPARK is committed to bringing together partners – like the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan Works!, city and municipal partners, academic institutions, and others – to support the growth of companies and the creation of jobs. – https://annarborusa.org/about/
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