Taft Extends Third Frontier Internship Program
COLUMBUS, OHIO (April 21, 2006) - Governor Bob Taft today extended the Third Frontier Internship Program for student interns placed through June 30, 2007, and committed an additional $2.5 million in funding for the program. Taft created the program in 2003 with federal funding to bring talented students and educators together with dynamic companies as part of his Third Frontier Project.
"The Third Frontier Internship Program is providing Ohio college students with exciting learning opportunities at high-tech firms across the state," Taft said. "By extending the program, we are ensuring that the students who are currently participating will continue to get valuable, hands-on skills that will benefit them in their future careers. Now even more of our science and math students can become involved with the program to enhance their education and launch their careers with Ohio companies."
The Third Frontier Internship Program, administered by the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD), aims to dramatically 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 excellent quality of life.
Through the Third Frontier Internship Program, c ompanies 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. To date, more than 1,400 students have been placed or have completed internships in the following areas: Advanced Manufacturing, Advanced Materials, Bioscience, Engineering, Instruments/Controls/Electronics, Information Technology and Power & Propulsion.
Upon creating the program in 2003, Governor Taft committed $15 million over three years of federal Workforce Investment Act funds to the Third Frontier Internship Program to create 1,300 internships for college students and to provide educator awareness opportunities in knowledge-based businesses. The program was originally scheduled to expire on June 30, 2006.
Students wishing to apply for an internship can inquire for an application through their college or university.
