Understanding the Possibilities: New Employer Resources for Hosting High School Internships in Manufacturing

Access to internships in the manufacturing sector remains an obstacle to achieving equity and broader access for high school students under 18 which limits the ability of students, particularly those from underrepresented groups, to envision themselves in the manufacturing industry and establish valuable social connections that can guide their postsecondary planning. To successfully scale manufacturing internships, employers need to better understand the many ways in which they can engage students under 18 and be prepared to thoughtfully mentor young people. 

Here in Illinois, the Scaling Transformative Advanced Manufacturing Pathways (STAMP) initiative empowers high school students with valuable skills and experiences in the manufacturing sector. Aimed at fostering high-quality manufacturing pathways for students, STAMP is working with schools and employers in the cohort to address their challenges in creating effective career development experiences. A pivotal aspect of these pathways is providing students with paid and/or for-credit career development experiences, such as internships, lasting a minimum of 60 hours to align with Illinois’ College and Career Pathway Endorsements system.

Now, the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association and EdSystems are releasing new resources and guidance in the form of one-pagers aimed at aiding employers in effectively hosting high school interns while championing equity in placement and career progression. These resources were developed with input from an advisory committee comprising school district representatives and employers, including human resource professionals from manufacturing firms. 

The one-pagers aim to identify key challenges shared by the committee and provide clear guidance on addressing those challenges, ensuring a consistent and effective approach to student career development experiences. Concerns about hosting students under 18, unclear expectations for employer mentors, inconsistencies in student tasks across employers, a lack of assessment structure, and the absence of a clear post-experience path for students are all addressed. 

One-pager resources include:

• Welcoming Young Talent: How to Prepare for High School Interns
  • This resource outlines strategies for companies to create an environment that welcomes young talent, including preparing for high school interns, setting expectations, and fostering a positive work environment.
• Navigating Legalities and Logistics: Hosting Manufacturing Interns Under Age 18
  • Addressing employer concerns about hosting underage interns, this resource provides employer models and resources to support companies to confidently engage high school students in manufacturing internships while complying with regulations.
• Onboarding and Supporting Manufacturing Interns: Building a Strong Foundation for Success
  • This resource focuses on establishing a robust onboarding process for high school interns and provides insights on creating a structured and supportive environment, enabling interns to thrive in their roles.
• Cultivating Success: Mentorship in the High School Internship
  • Recognizing the importance of mentorship, this resource offers guidance on fostering meaningful mentor-mentee relationships. It emphasizes the role of mentors in shaping the learning experience and ensuring the overall success of high school interns.
• Connecting the Dots: Supporting Interns on Their Journey to College and Career Success
  • The final resource in the set focuses on the post-internship phase. It provides a roadmap for companies to support interns in their transition to college and career readiness, ensuring a clear next step for those who complete the experience.