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Monday, June 29, 2009

Business Community Steps Up to Provide 1,000 Paid Internships for Philadelphia Youth

Posted at 9:45 AM

The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce will kick off its paid summer internships program for the third consecutive year when 1,000 Philadelphia young people begin work at local companies on July 6, 2009. This six-week program is an initiative by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Mayor Michael Nutter and WorkReady Philadelphia to create paid workplace opport...

The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce will kick off its paid summer internships program for the third consecutive year when 1,000 Philadelphia young people begin work at local companies on July 6, 2009.

This six-week program is an initiative by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Mayor Michael Nutter and WorkReady Philadelphia to create paid workplace opportunities.

The initiative is being supported by 120 regional businesses, foundations, and nonprofit organizations that contributed either paid internship positions or funding for a position. Despite the troubled economy, 96 companies are returning participants from last year, which represents 80% retention.

The Chamber, along with its partners, has helped to identify more than 3,500 positions over the past three summers. Mark Schweiker, President & CEO, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, notes that this campaign has been successful because the Chamber’s 5,000 member companies recognized the need and responded.

“Our region’s young people need us now more than ever,” said Schweiker. “This campaign demonstrates that the businesses community is not sitting on the sidelines at this critical time.”

The benefits of this program are two-fold, he said. Interns help employers grow their businesses by boosting summer productivity and completing important short-term projects. And internships represent a long-term investment in our region’s success because they give young people the tools to become capable future employees.

Mayor Nutter personally contacted business executives to encourage their support of this important program.

“The Chamber has made incredible strides over recent years to increase the number of internships available at businesses throughout the city and region,” said Mayor Nutter. “Giving young people the chance to experience the opportunities that exist beyond their neighborhoods and to experience a professional environment is crucial to positioning Philadelphia for success.”

While the Chamber and Mayor Nutter reached out to the business community for positions, WorkReady Philadelphia managed student outreach. WorkReady Philadelphia is managed by Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN) in collaboration with dozens of public and private organizations including Philadelphia Academies, Inc. and the United Way of Southeastern PA. The Chamber’s corporate partner is TD Bank, which will hire 25 interns this summer.

“As business leaders, we have the ability — and even more, the responsibility — to help provide the city’s young people with the crucial career enhancement skills and inspiration needed to help them reach their full potential,” said Mike Carbone, Metro Philadelphia President of TD Bank.

Each position costs the employer about $1,600, which includes intern salary and program administration for the six-week program. Interns work at least 20 hours per week Monday through Thursday and attend professional development programs off-site on Fridays.
Internships were filled by Philadelphia students who will enter 11th grade or higher in the fall. All students were pre-screened by PYN and interviewed by the prospective employers.
In 2006, PYN’s paid summer internship program had 441 positions. The following year, when the Chamber partnered with PYN, 1,049 positions were identified. Last year, the figure rose to 1,500 positions.

“Even with the challenging economic climate, the 1000 internships committed represent nearly a 130% increase over 2006, when the Chamber embraced this program,” said Schweiker.

Approximately 80% of the companies hiring interns this summer are Chamber members.

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