Programs and Incentives
Internship Program Guidelines
The goal of the Westmoreland KIZ Internship Program is to provide students with a rewarding opportunity to gain experience in a particular career field. An intern is a win-win situation. For students, internships supplement academic classes and, in some cases, earn college credit. For employers, interns bring valuable talent into the organization and create a talent pool to draw upon.
KIZ Internship Grant Criteria
To be eligible for the Westmoreland Keystone Innovation Zone Internship Program a company must meet all of the following criteria:
- The company must be less than eight years of age.
- The company must be located in one of the Westmoreland KIZ designated areas.
- The company must represent one of the KIZ industry sectors: Information Technology, Life Sciences/Bio-Medical or Diversified Materials/Advanced Manufacturing.
Companies that meet the requirements can be eligible for up to 50% of intern’s gross wages, or $2,500.00 in grant funding, whichever is less.
Internship Grant Process
- Company must complete required application and provide necessary documentation to be considered for internship grant.
- Company must develop a job description including skill sets needed, pay rate, number of hours per pay period, and length of internship.
- KIZ Coordinator will assist company with contacts at Westmoreland KIZ Institutions of Higher Education Career Centers.
- Company is responsible for interviewing and selecting student for internship.
- At the end of the internship, Company must provide KIZ Coordinator with a completed internship survey form and an invoice and copies of payroll information of the intern for up to 50% of intern’s gross wages or $2,500.00 reimbursement, whichever is less..
- Company also agrees to complete the KIZ semi-annual reporting form for the time period that represents the internship.
Please note that eligible companies may apply for two internship grants annually. The Westmoreland KIZ will support this program until funding is exhausted. Gross wages excludes all employee contributions. Criteria and funding amounts for internships are subject to change without notice. For more information, please contact:
Donna Bates
Westmoreland KIZ Coordinator
724-830-3604
dbates@egcw.org