Chamber Offers Wage Reimbursement for Summer Interns

Chamber Offers Employers Wage Reimbursement for Summer Internships
Is your business hiring summer interns soon? Will your interns work in high-demand roles such as construction/trades, healthcare, automotive services, childcare, education, manufacturing or general business? Would your business like to receive up to $500 in wage reimbursement per intern from the Fergus Falls Chamber? We hope you will say, "YES to the CASH!"

The Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce received a $40,000 “Future Ready Workforce Grant” from the Greater Twin Cities United Way, the Minnesota Chamber Foundation and the State of Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED) for youth workforce development. $20,000 in wage reimbursement is still available for Fergus Falls area businesses to receive.

The Chamber’s grant funds will provide reimbursements to businesses for wages paid to student interns. Businesses who provide high-quality paid internships in a high demand growing career area such as healthcare, social services, transportation, trades, manufacturing, education, childcare, public service and general business may apply for up to $500 in wage reimbursement per intern. In addition, the grant may also fund intern needs such as transportation assistance, training or safety gear up to $100 per intern.

Businesses can register to participate online: http://business.fergusfalls.com/form/view/32088. Internships based on careers with a median salary of $37,000 or more with projected growth are eligible. Interns must be between the ages of 14-22 years old and must be on payroll receiving at least $12.50/hour for at least 40 hours. Funds will be available until November 2024 or until depleted.

The Fergus Falls Area Chamber is excited to work on this endeavor as it fulfills two of the Chamber’s strategic priorities of Supporting Workforce Strategies and Driving Local Economic Growth. Chamber members may post their openings for summer interns on our website on the Job Search page: Job Search | Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.
Please contact Lisa Workman, Chamber President, if you are interested in learning more at (218) 736-6951.

Qualifying Internship Career Areas
Healthcare

• Nursing Assistants
• Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocation Nurses
• Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
• Registered Nurses
• Nurse Practitioners
• Physician Assistants
• Pharmacy Technicians
• Medical and Health Services Managers
• Medical Assistants
• Dental Assistants
• Dental Hygienists
• Speech-Language Pathologists

• Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
• Light Truck Drivers
• Bus Drivers
• Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
• Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
• Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
• Automotive Body and Related Repairers
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
• General Operations Managers
• Maintenance and Repair Workers (General)
• First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
• Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
• First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material-Moving Workers
• Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Tool Operators
• Janitors and Cleaners (Except Maids and Housekeeping)
• Stockers and Order Fillers
• Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers
• Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
• Construction Laborers
• First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades
• Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
• Machinists
• Carpenters
• Electricians
• Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

• Childcare Workers
• Preschool Teachers
• Teaching Assistants
• Elementary School Teachers
• Middle School Teachers
• Secondary School Teachers
• Substitute Teachers
• Special Education Teachers
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers
• Social and Community Service Managers
• Social and Human Service Assistants
• Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
• Police and Sheriff Patrol Officers

• Sales Representatives of Products/Services
• Sales Managers
• Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
• Accountants and Auditors
• Business Operations Specialists
• Human Resources Specialists
• Financial Managers
• Loan Officers
• Software Developers
• Computer User Support Specialists
• First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers