Vice President Joe Biden and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon recently announced the creation of the Next-Generation Jobs Team, a $25 million internship program to help match 3,000 youths ages 16 to 24 with internships in high-tech fields, according to an article by the St. Louis Business Journal.
Some of the biggest employers across the state have already signed up to participate in the internships, including:
- BJC HealthCare - the largest employer in St. Louis with 23,000 workers
- Analytical Bio Chemistry-Laboratories, Inc. - based in Columbia, manufactures human and animal pharmaceuticals
- Burns & McDonnell - a sustainable design and engineering firm located in Kansas City
- Watts Radiant - a thermal energy company located in Springfield
In addition, several utility companies and electrical cooperatives across the state will be providing internships. The Missouri Hospital Association and the Missouri Biotechnology Association also are working the state to recruit other employers for the program.
The Missouri Department of Economic Development's local Workforce Investment Board will provide mentors to help youth identity career fields they may be interested in and place them with appropriate employers. Interns will be paid through the stimulus funding.
“This is exactly the type of program the Recovery Act was designed to support, and we look forward to seeing a thorough report on its success later this year,” Biden said in the article.
