The City of Chandler Economic Development Division is partnering with local education leaders to host "Internship 101 for Businesses – Best Practices for Developing an Internship Program" on Thursday, Dec. 4.

This lunch-and-learn event is designed to help area employers create or enhance internship programs that strengthen their future workforce, according to a news release.

The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the University of Arizona's downtown Chandler location, 55 N. Arizona Place.

Local employers will gain firsthand insights from regional education partners, including the Chandler Unified School District, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Arizona State University and the University of Arizona.

Together, representatives of these institutions will share what they consider proven strategies, toolkits, templates, and key contacts to help businesses design meaningful internship experiences that align with academic programs and industry needs.

“Internships are one of the most effective ways to build a skilled local workforce and connect students with real-world career opportunities,” Council member O.D. Harris stated in the news release.  “This event brings together education and industry partners to make it easier for Chandler employers to start or strengthen internship programs that support both business growth and community talent development.”

Attendees will learn best practices for launching and managing internship programs, networking directly with local academic partners, and exploring how internships can enhance recruitment pipelines.

This workshop is free to attend, but registration is required. Register by clicking here.

The event is meant to support the goals of the Chandler Career Center, which connects employers and job seekers through local workforce initiatives.

Participating businesses will also be encouraged to register with the Career Center to further expand their hiring and engagement opportunities. For more information about Chandler’s workforce initiatives, visit click here.

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