State launches internship program

Ching
HONOLULU — The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations will begin registering unemployed persons and businesses in the DLIR Volunteer Internship Program.
The program will allow unemployment insurance claimants to gain workforce training by interning at local businesses for up to 32 hours a week for eight weeks.
Part of Gov. Linda Lingle’s economic recovery initiatives, the effort is geared toward providing Hawaii’s unemployed with greater job skills and getting them back to work quicker.
“It’s basically a ‘try me out’ to potential employers, in that the claimants can demonstrate their talents and skills while interning,” said DLIR Director Darwin L.D. Ching.
“Businesses benefit from a low-risk evaluation and training period for potential employees, so it’s really a win-win situation for everyone,” Ching added.
To sign up, or for more information (including answers to frequently asked questions), visit www.hawaii.gov/labor/ui/vip or e-mail dlir.wdd.admin@hawaii.gov.