1. To provide qualified college students with supervised, work-based learning experiences through on-the-job work experience related to their CTE field of study or major. 
2. To make available a variety of occupational experiences designed to assist interns in determining the professional fields for which they may be suited.
3. To provide learning and employment opportunities for qualified interns regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability, veteran status, age, or national origin.
4. To establish and strengthen the relationship between the company and the college in order to ensure mutual reinforcement between college curricula and the world of work.  

Equal Opportunity Statement:

It is the official policy of the Alabama State Department of Education and Southern Union State Community College that no person in shall, on the grounds of race, color, disability, gender, religion, creed, national origin, or age, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity or employment.

To be eligible for consideration for the program, an applicant must:

1. Complete and submit a program application packet consisting of the application, resume, transcript release, instructor recommendation, and the Internship Applicant’s Agreement (Appendix A)
2. Have a declared major in a field for which the student is applying for an internship.
3. Have and Maintain an overall 3.0 GPA in Technical Education course work.
4. Have completed at least one section of Math coursework with a grade of “C” or higher.
5. Maintain an overall GPA of 2.75 once accepted into the Program.
6. Have completed at least one mini-semester in a Technical Education Program relevant to the industry hosting the internship.
7. Have an attendance record of 95% or higher.
8. Continue in the Program and maintain a full schedule of classes as prescribed in the curriculum success guide for the Technical Education Program they are enrolled in.
9. Be a minimum of 18 years old.
10. Be eligible for employment in the United States.
11. Adhere to company-specific personnel policies including those regarding time and attendance. As appropriate.

1. Each work experience shall be planned consistent and aligned as closely as possible with the intern’s related instruction and career goals.
2. While enrolled, Interns are expected on average to work a minimum of 20 hours a week and a MAXIMUM of 28 hours a week and simultaneously enroll in the prescribed coursework as outlined in the Program curriculum success guide, Minimum credit hours would depend on term; range 12 to 17 credit hours. 

Exceptions to the work schedules of 20 minimum and 28 maximum hours will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Exceptions may include the College’s semester breaks.  

Either the Company or the intern will make request to the College’s Internship Coordinator or College Contact for exceptions.  Interns work schedules will follow Company guidelines and SHOULD NOT interfere with the intern’s academic/related instruction schedule.  Work schedules will be as scheduled with no overtime. 

1. The College and Company Partner will identify and recommend eligible applicants to the for consideration. Reference Appendix C for the selection, hiring and on-board process.
2. The Company’s Internship Selection Committee will make the final decision on hires. The Company’s committee will consist of: (suggested) HR Representative, and other appointed members as deemed appropriate.
3. Students/Applicants selected for entrance into the program may be required to undergo Company’s standard pre-employment selection procedures, including a pre-employment health assessment, drug screen, criminal background check, etc. Interns must be authorized to work in the United States and will be required to complete the I-9 verification process before beginning work at Company (or as set by Company).

1. Interns shall be paid in accordance with the company’s established pay schedule.
2. Interns will be paid a progressive wage that is set by the employer.
3. Interns shall be eligible for a wage progression after successfully maintaining academic progression and positive on the job training performance appraisals at the end of the second consecutive term

An example of wage progression:

• • Term One will be $12.50
  • Term Two (2) will be $13.00
  • Term Three (3) will be $13.50
  • Term Four (4) will be $14.00
  • Term Five (5) will be $14.50
  • Term Six (6) will be $15.00 

Interns are considered part-time employees and not eligible for any Company benefits (e.g., vacation, health insurance, holidays, 401k, etc.).

1. At mid-term and at the end of each month, the supervisor for the Intern will complete a digital Intern Evaluation Form. The supervisor, instructor (or designee), and the Intern will review the evaluation and discuss behaviors to continue and areas of improvement.
2. If the Intern’s academic/related instruction or job performance falls below standards, he/she may be given an opportunity to improve or will be separated from the program.

While working at the company, Interns are at will employees. Appointments to the program and employment may be terminated at any time for any reason by the Intern or the Company, including, but not limited to, the following reasons:

1. Resignation
2. Change to a curriculum or program of study that will not qualify the Intern for the position. Failure to follow the coursework in the prescribed curriculum guide without written approval from the college and the company.
3. Suspension, expulsion, or withdrawal from the College
4. Unsatisfactory work performance and /or conduct
5. Failure to maintain academic standards
6. Failure to comply with Company policies and procedures
7. Inability of the Company to continue in the Program

Note: The appointment may also be terminated if the underlying agreement is terminated by either the Company or the College.

This agreement will remain in effect until such time any of the above parties terminate said agreement by providing the other party with thirty days’ notice of intention to terminate the Agreement.

The Company will:

1. Designate a Company point of contact to maintain coordination with the College.
2. Serve as industry advisors concerning related instruction curriculum and programmatic issues concerning the Program and stackable credentials earned through the program.
3. Industry Partners agree to work collectively and collaboratively. The Program shall run parallel to other Apprenticeship/Internship programs and not compete for students or status.
4. Provide job descriptions in advance of the co-op student assignment (Appendix E).
5. Establish work schedules consistent with the co-op student’s class schedule to enable co-op to complete the program.
6. Orient the Intern to the Company’s policies and procedures (Appendix F).
7. Select the Intern referred by College in compliance with EEO principles.
8. Process all personnel actions and keep necessary records in relation to the Interns employment.
9. Provide meaningful work assignments related and aligned to the Interns related instruction and career goals where he/she can learn and be productive.
10. Provide progressive and diversified work-based learning experiences which will expose the Intern to a comprehensive task list to prepare the Intern for an occupation related to their program of study.
11. Designate a mentor/supervisor for the Intern during the work period at a rate of not more than one student to one mentor.
12. Support completion of projects assigned by College as part of the co-op student experience.
13. Conduct appraisals and review evaluations with the mentor/supervisor, the co-op student, and the College instructor (or designee).
14. Counsel Interns regarding their performance by discussing behaviors to continue and areas that need improvement.
15. Notify the College in writing of any change in the Intern’s employment status.
16. Commit to permitting the Intern to complete his/her degree/certificate before offering to hire him/her into a regular position.
17. Support career awareness and recruitment efforts for the industry and the Program.

The College will:

1. Designate a representative to work with the Company to serve as a liaison between the College and the Intern.
2. Inform eligible students of the Program opportunities.
3. Refer interested and qualified candidates to the Program without discrimination.
4. Correlate work and study in a manner that will expand the Intern’s educational development.
5. Furnish the company with requested information related to the Intern’s field of study and academic standing.
6. Monitor academic progress.
7. Inform (in writing) the Company of any change in the Interns’ progress and performance.

This agreement shall be enforceable under the applicable laws of the State of Alabama, and no action arising from this agreement may be filed by either party to this agreement except in the State of Alabama.

The parties agree that the terms and commitments contained herein shall not constitute a debt of the State of Alabama in violation of Section 213 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended by Amendment No. 26. It is further agreed that if any provision of this agreement shall contravene any statute or Constitutional provision, either now in effect or which may be enacted during the term of this agreement, then the conflicting provision of the agreement shall be deemed null and void. The Company acknowledges, and agrees that its sole and exclusive remedy for any claim that may arise from or related to this agreement is to file a claim with the Board of Adjustment of the State of Alabama.

The relationship between the parties is that of independent contractors. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as creating any agency, partnership, joint venture, or any other form of joint enterprise, employment, or fiduciary relationship between the parties and neither party shall have
authority to contract for or bind the other party in any manner whatsoever.

By signing this agreement, the contracting parties affirm, for the duration of the agreement, that they will not violate federal immigration law or knowingly employ, hire for employment, or continue to employ an unauthorized alien within the State of Alabama. Furthermore, a contracting party found in violation of this provision shall be in breach of this agreement and shall be responsible for all damages resulting therefrom.