New Workforce Portal connects students with internships

KENNEWICK, Wash. – The Association of Washington Business, in partnership with the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, Washington State University Tri-Cities, and Columbia Basin College, launched a new online portal connecting employers and students for internship opportunities.

The Washington Workforce Portal is an online resource in which employers and educators may post an unlimited number of internship opportunities and have access to an intern candidate database for free. The Tri-Cities is one of two locations in Washington where the project is being piloted. A similar pilot project is underway in Spokane.

Washington state employers often struggle with the current workforce shortage. The Washington Workforce Portal will allow employers to fill positions that align with the skillsets of students in our academic programs and trade schools across the state. In return, young people will gain experience through real world, work-based learning opportunities.

“Internships and other career experiences are a great way in which students can grow, cement their skills, and use what they learn before officially entering the workforce full-time,” WSU Tri-Cities Chancellor Sandra Haynes said. “With this workforce portal, all college students, regardless of campus, will have a centralized place to be paired with businesses and organizations for a range of experiential learning opportunities.”

Both regional Tri-Cities businesses and students can now access the portal.

For more information and to access the Washington Workforce Portal, visit www.washingtonworkforceportal.org.

Media contacts:

Austin Regimbal, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, 509-491-3238, austin.regimbal@tricityregionalchamber.com

Maegan Murray, WSU Tri-Cities director of marketing and communication, 619-403-3617, maegan_murray@wsu.edu