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Home My WebLink AboutCITY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM UPDATECultivating Tomorrow’s Talent Our Growing Talent Acquisition and Workforce Development Programs 1 Presented by Monica Kopin – HR Director From Recruiting Talent to Growing Talent •Internships and apprenticeships have evolved from student experiences and trade training to strategic talent acquisition pipelines •Registered apprenticeships have expanded beyond traditional construction trades •City of Virginia Beach is investing in the future via: •Internships- High School and College •Skillbridge •Apprenticeships •F.A.P Partnerships 3.1 and 3.2 2 Workforce Strategy Has Changed 3 Internships for college students and apprenticeships largely existed in skilled trades Early 2000’s Greater focus on utilizing internships as an entry level pipeline; apprenticeship participation declined 2008 Internship conversions to full- time employment metrics; apprenticeship resurgence in trades 2010–2020 COVID introduces hybrid internships; apprenticeships expand to non-traditional occupations 2020 Internships increasingly viewed as strategic recruitment initiatives; apprenticeships expand across IT, healthcare, education, manufacturing 2025–2026 Why Invest in Development Programming? •Talent shortages •Better quality of hire •Retention •Reduced dependence on more traditional credentials •Early access to talent •Workforce Access •Employer specific skill development 4 Where can we find qualified people? How do we compete for qualified people? How do we retain qualified people? How do we build the qualified people we will need? Virginia Beach Current and Future Facing 5 Build the Pipeline Before the Vacancy •College internships have grown from 20 participants in 2023 to 48 participants in 2026 •13 skilled trade interns, combination of HS and TCC students, worked with Public Works, Public Utilities and Parks & Rec this year •Internships historically in summer; currently partnering with local universities to ensure year round programming •Expansion of Police Patrol Aide program 6 Outreach Activities and Awards •Average 20-24 college career and internship fairs annually; City departments send representatives •Staff participated in 24 community focused fairs in 2025 •VB has been named a Virginia Top Employer for Interns (VTOP) every year since 2023 by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia; hosts Virginia Intern Day •VB has been recognized with the VETS Indexes Award every year since 2024.The award honors employers that demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting veterans through hiring, retention, career development, and workplace initiatives 7 Internships Beyond the Student Experience •Skillbridge internships have grown from 1-2 participants in 2023 to 15 participants in 2026 •Staff interactions with military community has grown from 9 events a year to 28 events a year •24 military spouses hired to date in 2026 •80 veterans hired to date in 2026 •SpouseWorks Partner 8 Internship Testimonials Name: Donta Allen Title: Occupational Safety Program Specialist United States military veteran Donta Allen shares his thoughts and experiences from the City of Virginia Beach SkillBridge Program. Name: Samuel DiBelardino Title: Information Technology Intern City of Virginia Beach IT Intern Samuel DiBelardino shares impressions and experiences from the 2025 program. 9 Next Frontier: Apprenticeships & Beyond How can we impact staffing challenges in areas with high vacancy counts and history of being ‘hard to fill’? What talent do we need three years from now, and how do we start developing it today? 10 High Potential Apprenticeship Areas •Skilled trades •Telecommunicators •Technical occupations (surveys, inspectors) •IT 11 2026 Workforce Development Initiative Two Apprenticeship Coordinators to begin September 17th •Solidify and formally partner with high school/trade schools, community colleges and other post secondary schools •Create local partnerships with each high school to provide students with meaningful exposure to career pathways and workforce opportunities through Job shadowing, Part-time on the job training, Career mentorship opportunities and Information sessions •Develop curriculum and deliver training specific to students and transitioning employees 12 2026 Workforce Development Initiative Apprenticeship Coordinators will also •Apply for grants and funding in support of apprenticeships •Work with departments to develop apprenticeship programming; register each apprenticeship with Virginia Works •Serve as resource for managers and apprentices navigating apprenticeship programming •Create new entry level positions/classifications as a pathway for students to gain employment •Solidify future workforce pipeline 13 Longlasting Impact 14 The most rewarding aspect of my internship was being able to apply things I have learned in school to my different roles and tasks and seeing success in these tasks I was completing. I also enjoyed learning new things through hands-on experiences. - CVB Media relations Intern 2026 I’m truly grateful for all the support, guidance, and laughter we’ve shared these past months. This internship has been more than just a learning opportunity—it’s been a place where I felt welcomed, challenged, and inspired every day. I’ll carry the lessons and memories from my time here with me as I head back to school, and I hope our paths cross again in the future. You’ve all made a lasting impact on me, both professionally and personally. - HR Intern 2025 Questions ? 15