The Hawaii Island Economic development board is please to announce that Huiana program has found a new 501c3 organization to continue its program of work. Hawaii Workforce & Economics Development Ohana under the direction of John Carroll. They can be reach at (808) 981-2860 ext. 240. Paula Thomas who continued the program while here at HIEDB continues to serve as Program Manager for HIWEDO. Congratulations!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does a company get to choose the student that it wants?
A. Student selection is a three-tiered process and the company can conduct the final screening. Students are pre-selected by the schools and are initially interviewed by an interview panel. The interview panel suggests a company match based upon the students’ career interest, employer needs, and the results of the interview. If the suggestion is agreeable to the student and company, the company has the opportunity to meet with the student, before finalizing the internship.
Q. Do students get paid for their internships?
A. It depends. The Huiana Internship Mentor Program does not require payment of any kind to the participating students. A company may choose to pay their student interns an hourly wage, a stipend at the conclusion of the program, or not at all. Student interns receive school credit for participating in this program and compensation is not expected. The Huiana Internship Mentor Program may award student interns with a stipend, scholarship, or other gift as available and appropriate.
Q. What kinds of tasks should a business give to a student?
A. Huiana student interns are eager for the opportunity to experience a real work environment. Interns should be given the opportunity to try a variety of tasks. However, all Huiana student interns are restricted from hazardous occupations and tasks. Working at heights higher than four feet, working with power-driven equipment, working in confined spaces, working with hazardous chemicals, etc… are prohibited tasks for Huiana student interns. For a complete list of restrictions, please contact the Huiana Internship Mentor Program.
Q. How much time does it take to have an intern?
A. The student must commit a minimum of 60 hours to the workplace. Your company will also need to prepare for the interns’ arrival by participating in the interview process, attending mentor training (approximately 3 hours per person), developing a job description, and identifying the tasks an intern will perform each day.
Q. When will the intern work?
A. There are two internship cycles, one during the school year (January – May) and one during the summer (June – July). Students who are conducting their internship during the school year will need to schedule hours after school. An exact internship schedule is to be determined between the student and the company.
Q. What if there is a problem with the student during the internship?
A. The student is enrolled in an Internship Class that is under the auspices of the Department of Education (DOE) and the student’s school. You will be in close contact with a DOE representative from the student’s school as well as the Workforce Development Division Huiana staff and will be provided with contact information to discuss anything that may come up.
Q. What about protecting the confidential information of your business?
A. If this is a concern for your business, there are a number of measures that can be taken: Careful screening of the student before acceptance, student and parent can sign a confidentially agreement, placement of student in departments without access to sensitive customer information or where information is password protected.
Q. How will I know if my employees and I are being good mentors?
A. A key component of the Huiana Internship Mentor Program is mentor training provided by Hawaii Community College - Makana Mentor Network. You and your employees will learn how to be good mentors, how to create a meaningful experience for the student and your company, and how to manage the internship process.
Additional Areas of Interest
- Huiana Internship Mentor Program (Huiana Internship Mentor Program Brochure)
- Contact internships (at) hiedb.org for more information or to get involved.
More Focal Points at HIEDB