Now in its third year, the Pittsylvania County summer internship program has selected 17 students from Pittsylvania County Schools to work in a variety of paid positions throughout Pittsylvania County and Danville.

The program is a collaboration between IALR, Pittsylvania County, Pittsylvania County Schools, Pathfinders Resources and Virginia Career Works-West Piedmont Region.

“Pittsylvania County is proud to provide this valuable learning experience to our youth for the third year in a row. The internship program is a wonderful way for students to learn how to navigate the workplace and obtain useful soft and hard skills while providing a needed service to County departments, the school division and other organizations over the summer,” said Darrell Dalton, chairman, Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors. 

"IALR and the summer internship partners are extremely grateful for the County and Board of Supervisors' support. The summer internship program, EXCITE teacher externship program, AspHIRE Mock Interview Day, and Career ChoICE help students develop their skills for their intended career path and connect them to local opportunities - helping highlight for students that outstanding job opportunities are available right here in Southern Virginia," said Jessie Vernon, Program Manager with the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.

About the program

The summer internship program is part of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research’s EmPOWER framework – an employer-driven system to empower and connect students to careers.

"I believe this year’s internship program will be an amazing opportunity for these young people to build their network and connections, gain valuable work experience, and really hone in on those skills needed to succeed in the workforce and navigate adulthood," said Kiana Dillard, Work-Based Learning Coordinator with the Institute of Advanced Learning and Research. 

IALR created this system by first creating programs to address employer, school and students’ needs. By looking at national best practice models in career-readiness and work-based learning, IALR realized that by intentionally connecting its individual programs it could create a powerful career-readiness system.

EmPOWER provides a framework for the region to build a future workforce pipeline that regional employers need, as well as in strategic sectors that align with economic development interests.

To learn more about the program, contact Ms. Dillard at at kiana.dillard@ialr.org