Taft Highlights Successes of Third Frontier Internship Program
FINDLAY, OHIO (June 27, 2006) - Governor Bob Taft today highlighted the successes of the Third Frontier Internship Program at Rowmark, Inc., in Findlay. The company, which manufactures engravable sheet material for the awards, engraving and signage markets, has had eight Third Frontier interns and hired a past intern as a full-time employee.
"The Third Frontier Internship Program is good for students, good for companies, and good for Ohio, and it's helping to prepare the next generation of Ohio's workers and entrepreneurs," said Taft. "Rowmark is a great example of the high-tech companies that are creating good jobs in our state, and a company that has already identified the benefits of creating meaningful internships for talented Ohio college students."
The Third Frontier Internship Program, launched in 2003 by Taft and administered by the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD), aims to enhance Ohio's ability to retain highly skilled workers and foster innovative businesses. The program is intended to develop a pool of talented workers for Ohio businesses, create exciting student work experiences, enrich the students' educational experience and expose educators to the strategies and processes of today's business environment. As Ohio transitions to a knowledge economy, the program is expected to help keep Ohio's graduates in the state by offering good jobs and an avenue to a better quality of life.
Since 2003, ODOD has awarded more than $8.5 million to 17 organizations around the state, which then disburse the funds to area companies wanting to hire interns. To date, the Third Frontier Internship program has helped more than 2,800 interns from 54 four-year public and private colleges and universities and 15 public and private community and technical colleges. An additional $2.5 million will be made available beginning July 1 for up to 700 more interns.
Taft was joined at today's event by Rowmark President and CEO Duane Jebbett, PolymerOhio Executive Director Wayne Earley, Third Frontier intern and University of Toledo student Nate Green, and former Third Frontier intern and University of Dayton graduate Andrew Burgei, who has since been hired on by Rowmark.
Rowmark has received more than $20,000 in Third Frontier Internship funds through PolymerOhio, which received a total of $765,300 in Third Frontier Internship funds to disburse to companies and organizations across the state.
Through the Third Frontier Internship Program, companies receive up to $3,000 per student per year to defray 50 percent of the student's wage costs during the internship. Participating students must be enrolled in an Ohio college or university and major in math, science or engineering.
Students wishing to apply for an internship can inquire for an application through their college or university or by visiting www.ohio3fip.com.
