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Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation — one of 12 regional development corporations in Vermont — recently announced a partnership with �պ�����’s Office of Engagement to pilot a summer internship program in Central Vermont to expand �պ�����’s reach into rural communities in the state.

�պ����� students will have the opportunity to connect with Central Vermont employers for summer internships. The pilot program will support the intern cohort and area employers through professional development workshops, intern wage subsidies and response to barriers faced by intern hosts.

“We are thrilled to partner with �պ����� on this pilot program,” says CVEDC Executive Director Melissa Bounty.  “Central Vermont has so many unique businesses which could provide college students who have an interest or connection to our region with engaging, memorable experiences as they consider their future career options. We see this as so mutually beneficial to both students and employers in our region, and hope what we learn this summer can be used to bring this program to other regions next.”

Employers or students who are interested in learning more about this program should contact program manager Nicky Zambon at nzambon@cvedc.org or �պ����� Internship Coordinator Kristen Andrews at kristen.andrews@uvm.edu

“At the �պ����� Office of Engagement, we are working to support rural Vermont economic development by building a statewide talent pipeline,” Kristen Andrews said.  “We’re excited to attract Vermont college students to internship positions in vibrant areas like Central Vermont in partnership with well connected, innovative leaders like Melissa Bounty. As a pilot program, our intent is to develop and assess this cohort-style internship experience with a local partner to work through the inevitable speed bumps along the way. Then, we plan to roll this out to additional partners across the state of Vermont in the following years in service to �պ�����’s land grant mission.”

Under the umbrella of another new institute, �պ�����’s Institute for Rural Partnerships, �պ����� will bring to bear the combined resources and expertise of multiple university entities to help find solutions to the most pressing problems that rural communities are facing—whether it’s a qualified workforce, broadband access, clean water, sustainable energy, suitable housing, food production, supporting more welcoming and inclusive communities, or mitigating the stresses placed on the region’s lakes, rivers and forests.