An underrated benefit of internship programs is the positive impact on current employees. Taking on a mentorship role provides them with growth opportunities and increases their own engagement, contrary to the common belief that it is merely an added burden.
The traditional path to a four-year degree is becoming less secure as AI automates entry-level knowledge work. This trend increases the demand, stability, and compensation for skilled trades like plumbing and carpentry, which are resistant to automation.
One-off events like facility tours or guest speakers are ineffective for talent development. Successful programs require a structured, immersive curriculum co-created by the employer and a school partner, defining specific skills and learning objectives in a real-world environment.
While community impact is a benefit, the most effective metric for work-based learning is tangible skill acquisition. Success should be measured by the specific, career-ready skills a student gains, ideally tied to third-party industry certifications that offer a clear ROI.
The perception of a 'desirable career' is shifting from a mandatory four-year degree to one that simply provides a family-sustaining wage and personal enjoyment. As skilled trades now often pay better than entry-level knowledge jobs, the long-held stigma against them is eroding.
Young people may understand new AI tools but lack the context to apply them for business value. The opportunity lies in pairing their tech fluency with business process knowledge, teaching them how to generate actual ROI from AI—a critical skill gap across the entire workforce.