On October 1, 2023, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) will open applications for the State’s newly redesigned internship program, InternNE powered by Aksarben. DED is partnering with the Aksarben Foundation on the initiative, which aims to better train and retain young Nebraskans to bolster the state’s skilled workforce.
InternNE powered by Aksarben will connect Nebraska’s students to internships offering valuable experience in high-growth, high-wage, high-demand occupations. The program is also designed to establish relationships between interns and local leaders to help young Nebraskans envision how their talents can help communities grow.
Employers with physical operations facilities in Nebraska, including for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations, are eligible to apply. State and federal government entities, governmental subdivisions (including counties, cities, villages, school districts, metropolitan utilities districts, or any other subdivision of the state that receives revenue raised by taxation), and public or private colleges and universities are not eligible to apply for funding from the InternNE program. Eligible businesses may request up to $7,500 per internship, up to a maximum of 25 awarded internships over a twelve-month period.
Eligible interns include eleventh and twelfth grade high school students; any student enrolled in an institution of higher education; or any person who is hired and begins their internship within twelve months of graduating an institution of higher education. Persons employed through the InternNE program must start on or after the business’ application date.
All internships must have a mentor to serve as a resource by sharing insights and providing guidance about the workplace, careers and education. Internships must be completed within one year, and must be of sufficient duration to allow the student to gain significant valuable work experience and knowledge (typically at least 240 hours of work).
InternNE powered by Aksarben represents an expansion of the previous State-administered internship program. Companies will now be able to apply for grants to cover costs such as:
- Tuition reimbursement
- Internship housing
- Transportation expenses relating to internships
- Internship recruitment or administrative costs
The program’s enhanced flexibility will be especially beneficial for small businesses and startups looking to create an internship program.
InternNE program applications will open on Sunday, October 1st and remain open through November 30, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. CT. Applications shall be submitted electronically at any time before the application due date. Information on how to apply can be found at https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/programs/business/intern-nebraska/.
For additional program information on InternNE powered by Aksarben, please contact InternNE Coordinator Rose Baker at rose.baker@nebraska.gov or 402-471-1559.
For questions about the InternNE application, please contact Grace Kane at grace@internneb.org or 402-554-9600.