Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), announced in a press release that the University of Wisconsin System has been awarded $1.1 million through the Wisconsin Fast Forward Program to expand internship opportunities in high-demand fields, including cybersecurity, agriculture, green energy, and clean water jobs. The grants will increase paid internship opportunities for UW System students with state employers by incentivizing businesses in high-demand fields to provide paid internships to Wisconsin students.
The more than $1.1 million in Wisconsin Fast Forward funds will support several projects, including the following:
Green Energy and Clean Water: UW-Milwaukee received $382,000 to promote and coordinate paid internships in Wisconsin’s green energy and clean water industries. The university will partner with businesses in these industries to enroll 42 interns in three-month paid internships.
Agriculture: UW-River Falls received $244,426. In collaboration with industry partners, leaders will create innovative experiences in agriculture for students. Through this effort, 20 students will be placed in 14-week summer internships or 28-week academic year internships and be provided a career development seminar focused on resume-building workshops and strategies for career advancement.
Cybersecurity: UW-Stout received $298,771 to establish a comprehensive cybersecurity internship program and place 40 students in paid internships with industry partners. Interns will work 15 to 20 hours per week for a minimum of three months.
Humanities, Social Sciences: UW-Milwaukee received $208,624 to develop paid internship opportunities for 20 students in the areas of humanities, social sciences, and other majors where students are often offered unpaid internships. Interns will also take a career course focused on resume-building, interviewing, professional writing, and other important skills. Students will engage in a paid internship for three, six, or nine months, depending on the needs of the partner employer and the student’s academic schedule.
