Internships help keep talented young people in Va.
Virginia has a serious challenge: We’re losing talented young people to other states.
These young people call Virginia home. They’ve been educated here. Many would like to return to their hometowns or regions, settle where they went to college, or put down roots near the beaches, mountains and other places they love in Virginia. They’d like to raise their families close to their parents and grandparents.
Instead, they leave for better job and career opportunities elsewhere.
Texas, Georgia, Tennessee and both Carolinas are all experiencing strong net in-migration, with many more young people moving in than out. These same states are among our chief competitors for business investment.
When talented young people leave, Virginia businesses have an even harder time finding the well-prepared workers needed to grow. Our competitiveness suffers because companies take their job-creating investments where they can find a strong workforce.
At the Virginia Business Higher Education Council (VBHEC), we don’t claim to have all the answers, but we have a key strategy that will help: expanding access to internships and other work-based learning opportunities with Virginia employers.
The benefits of internships, apprenticeships and other workplace experiences are widely recognized:
Employers can assess potential talent, and students can evaluate prospective workplaces.
Paid internships and apprenticeships make the educational process more affordable.
Students emerge better prepared for the world of work.
The experience often is most transformational for first-generation students and those whose family circumstances have provided little exposure to business.
For a commonwealth that is losing talent to other states, another big benefit stands out: When students connect with Virginia employers while in college, they are more likely to stay in Virginia for full-time work after graduation.
Multiple studies confirm that paid internships give students an advantage when it comes to fulltime job offers. And businesses appreciate the value of connecting early with students.
The Virginia Chamber of Commerce reports that more than 70% of businesses would prefer to hire students with relevant workplace experience.
Yet, currently, only about 10% of students actually come with that experience.
VBHEC, a partnership of Virginia business and higher education leaders, has been working to close this gap for employers and make paid internships available to all students.
Four years ago, VBHEC successfully urged the General Assembly to launch a state initiative to expand internships and promote business-higher education partnerships. I was speaker of the House of Delegates then and sponsored the legislation with state Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico. It passed with broad, bipartisan support.
In the past year, encouraged by business leaders and college presidents, the General Assembly and governor have made significant new investments to improve college affordability and expand internship opportunities for students and employers. The emphasis is on talent pathways that lead to full-time employment in Virginia after graduation.
The bipartisan support has been impressive, and we are most grateful for it.
Key budget amendments in 2022 were offered by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, state Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, and Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Hopewell.
This past week, the Democratic-led Senate and Republican-led House both advanced spending blueprints that expand on those investments.
Among the ways resources are being deployed: promoting regional collaborations between educators and employers, especially in high-demand fields; weaving paid internships into college curricula and helping students with placement and expenses; providing toolkits that simplify the process for employers; and making matching grants to small businesses.
At VBHEC, we’re working closely with executive and legislative branch leaders, the higher education community, and key partners like the Virginia Talent and Opportunity Partnership (Virginia TOP) and GO Virginia to advance this vital initiative.
Reversing the loss of young talent by connecting students early with Virginia employers is a winning strategy we all can agree on.