New Virginia initiative aims to strengthen the education to employment pipeline for future workers

Richmond, Virginia – In a powerful move to connect students with real-world work experience and bolster Virginia’s long-term economic competitiveness, Governor Abigail Spanberger announced the launch of InternshipsVA, a new statewide initiative designed to help Virginia employers offer high-quality, paid internships to higher education students. The Commonwealth has committed $14.5 million annually to support the program, making it one of the largest investments in work-based learning in Virginia’s history.

Supporting Students and Businesses Across the Commonwealth

At a launch ceremony in Richmond, Governor Spanberger was joined by key state leaders and industry partners, including representatives from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), the Virginia Business Higher Education Council (VBHEC), and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). Together, they outlined how the new program will help bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical experience.

“Virginia’s students need more hands-on opportunities to connect with real-world careers,” Governor Spanberger said. “InternshipsVA aims to make sure every student educated in the Commonwealth has the chance to begin and build a lasting career right here in Virginia.”

InternshipsVA will provide direct support to small and mid-size businesses to help design and offer paid internships. This includes:

• Matching grants that cover 50% of undergraduate intern wages

• Regional internship managers to assist with program setup and recruiting

• No-cost listings on Handshake, a student-employer connection platform

• Training resources that share strategies and best practices from successful programs

According to Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery, “InternshipsVA is a dynamic network of resources built to connect Virginia businesses with the Commonwealth’s next generation of talent.”

Building the Workforce of Tomorrow

Education and labor leaders echoed strong support for the program, emphasizing the long-term benefits for both students and the state’s economy. Secretary of Education Jeffery Smith said, “This initiative will create meaningful experiences for students to build real-world skills that prepare them not just for a job, but for life.”

Secretary of Labor Jessica Looman highlighted how InternshipsVA aligns with one of Virginia’s most effective workforce strategies: “We know that getting real-world, on-the-job learning in tandem with classroom learning sets students up for early career success and better long-term career outcomes.”

InternshipsVA is funded by the Commonwealth Innovative Internship Fund and Program and is part of a broader effort to develop, attract, and retain top-tier talent in the state. It aims to ensure every Virginia college student has access to paid internships that can open doors to full-time careers before graduation.

A Shared Vision for the Future

Leaders across sectors praised the initiative for aligning education and workforce goals. VEDP Chief Megan Healy emphasized the value of internships for employers: “Internships streamline recruitment, reduce hiring risk, and improve employee retention.”

VBHEC President Kirk Cox added that “InternshipsVA responds to the strong bipartisan demand for expanded investment in talent by working with employers to develop and scale high-quality, paid internship opportunities.”

Virginia Chamber of Commerce interim president Keith Martin called the initiative essential to the state’s economic competitiveness: “To be the best state for business, Virginia needs to be the best state for talent. InternshipsVA puts that vision into action.”

Enrollment and Resources Available Now

Employers interested in participating can visit www.vedp.org/internshipsva to explore available resources, recruitment tools, and funding opportunities. As the program kicks off, state leaders hope InternshipsVA will serve as a model for how collaboration between business, government, and education can create real-world opportunities that benefit students, employers, and the economy as a whole.