Change a Life, Provide a Summer Internship

The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Michael A. Nutter kicked off the 2009 campaign last month to identify paid summer internships for Philadelphia young people. Companies in the 11-county region were asked to offer an internship at their workplace or to fund a position at a non-profit organization.

Despite the troubled economy, the Chamber is encouraging the business community to match the 1,500 internships that 189 employers provided last summer. So far, 310 positions have been committed for 2009.

"Our region’s young people need us now more than ever," said Mark Schweiker, President & CEO, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. "As stakeholders in the future of this region, it is our responsibility to create opportunities for youth."

This is the third consecutive year the Chamber has called on the region’s companies – from large corporations to small businesses – to invest in our future workforce by hiring summer interns. The 1,500 positions provided last year represent nearly a 50 percent increase over 2007 when the Chamber helped to identify 1,049 positions. This was a significant improvement over 2006, when 441 youth were placed.

Mayor Nutter congratulated the Chamber on its efforts in previous years to rally the business community. "We look forward to helping them achieve similar results this year," he said.

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

"Giving young people an early taste of work and providing them with exciting opportunities here in Philadelphia is crucial if we’re going to encourage them to stay—an important component of growing our population and central to positioning Philadelphia for future success," said Mayor Nutter.

The Chamber’s managing partner in identifying internships is WorkReady Philadelphia, which is managed by the Philadelphia Youth Network in collaboration with dozens of public and private organizations including Philadelphia Academies, Inc. and the United Way of Southeastern PA. The Chamber corporate partner is TD Bank.

Employers who participate in the internship program will provide paid workplace experiences to pre-screened Philadelphia youth for at least 20 hours per week for six weeks beginning July 6. Each position costs the employer about $1,600, which includes intern salary and program administration.

For more information or to get involved, contact 215-790-3732 or click here.