Work Experience Internship
Hire Young Talent. Grow Your Business. Build the Future.
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businessrep@workforcescc.com | 831-763-8872
Work Experience Internships & Job Shadowing for Employers
The Work Experience Internship (WEX) & Job Shadowing Program, in partnership with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education (COE) and its Suenos program, connects local businesses with motivated, job-ready young professionals—at no cost to you.
This program helps businesses increase capacity while preparing youth for long-term careers. Whether you need interns to support daily operations or want to introduce students to your industry, we make it easy to participate.
Why Participate?
- Boost Productivity – Gain extra support for daily tasks while helping youth gain job skills.
- No Cost to You – We fully cover wages, insurance, and program costs.
- Train Future Talent – Interns gain real experience and could become your next great hire.
- Flexible & Low Commitment – Choose a paid intern (150-250 hours) or a short-term job shadowing experience.
- Support Your Community – Help local youth gain career confidence and develop a skilled workforce.
How Are Interns Prepared for the Workplace?
Interns come from Suenos, a program within the County Office of Education (COE), which provides job readiness training before placement. They receive:
✅ Customer service & workplace safety
✅ Labor laws & employee rights
✅ Workplace ethics & professionalism
✅ Communication skills & teamwork
✅ Job interview preparation & resume building
By the time they start working, they are prepared with foundational workplace skills to contribute effectively.
Two Ways to Get Involved
1. Paid Work Experience Internships (150-250 Hours)
- No cost to you – We pay the intern’s wages, insurance, and provide program support.
- Interns work 150 hours (in-school youth) or 250 hours (out-of-school youth).
- Before paid work begins, interns complete 20 hours of unpaid work experience for employer & intern evaluation.
- Interns can work up to 20 hours per week.
2. Job Shadowing (Short-Term, Flexible Experience)
- No cost, no long-term commitment – Students observe real workplaces to explore careers.
- Interns can participate in up to four job shadowing experiences.
- Employers choose the timeframe, typically a few hours per session.
- Interns receive a $25 incentive per completed job shadowing experience.
Employer Expectations
For Internships:
✔ Provide entry-level tasks that develop job skills.
✔ Offer mentorship & supervision during the placement.
✔ Participate in bi-weekly or monthly check-ins with program staff.
✔ Interns cannot replace laid-off employees.
For Job Shadowing:
✔ Allow interns to observe & ask questions.
✔ Give a brief overview of your business & industry.
✔ Flexible time commitment—sessions are typically a few hours.
Who Can Host Interns?
✔ Any business in Santa Cruz County
✔ Industries include:
- Retail & Customer Service – Cash handling, customer service
- Hospitality & Food Service – Front desk, food prep, event assistance
- Healthcare & Wellness – Patient intake, office support
- Office Administration – Clerical work, data entry
- Technology & IT – Digital marketing, help desk support
- Manufacturing & Trades – Warehouse, inventory
- Nonprofits – Outreach, event planning
Not sure if your business is a fit? Contact us—we can customize an internship experience for you.
How It Works
1️⃣ Sign Up – We help you complete a simple Worksite Agreement.
2️⃣ Get Matched – You interview & select an intern.
3️⃣ Internship or Job Shadowing Begins – We cover all wages & costs.
4️⃣ Check-Ins & Wrap-Up – We provide ongoing support throughout the program.
Employer Testimonials
Get Started Today
📞 Call us: 831-763-8872 | 📧 Email: businessrep@workforcescc.com | 💻 Learn more: Workforce Santa Cruz County
Sign up today and help shape the future workforce of Santa Cruz County!