Michigan STEM Forward Program: Goals, Progress, and Impact

What is the MISTEM Forward Program and what are its goals? How s it gone so far? The Process What s changed What hasn t Questions, comments, feedback! Recording of this presentation will be made available (via email) within 24 hours Agenda

Michigan STEM Forward provides students meaningful career experience and promotes job retention in the state, while providing financial support to companies who hire these interns A matching program connecting students attending Michigan colleges and universities with internship opportunities at the state s leading innovative companies. Ann Arbor SPARK will pay 50 percent of the intern s wages for a 10 12-week internship period, up to $3,000 for a full-time intern or $1,500 for a part-time intern. The student intern is hired directly by Ann Arbor SPARK as a temporary W-2. SPARK will handle all payroll, tax, and compliance responsibilities and invoice the company for their matching portion (50% + 11% admin fees) of the intern s pay. Companies do not have to be in a specific industry, but all internships must be STEM-focused. The MISTEM Forward Program

Talent Retention: Increase the rate at which Michigan STEM college graduates find meaningful work in the knowledge economy and ultimately remain in Michigan. Revisiting the Goals of the Program Cost Savings: Support Michigan based companies state-wide by allowing them to take on an intern when they otherwise could not afford to, or to take one more additional intern than they would have without assistance. Develop Partnerships: Assist SmartZones and supporting organizations in Michigan to create strong ties to their local higher education institutions and companies.

138 interns placed 85% full-time Average hourly wage of $17.52/hr 35% from the University of Michigan, 16% from Michigan State University, 10% Western Michigan University How s it Going? At 62 companies 35% were referred by Ann Arbor SPARK SZ 27% of these companies are in Ann Arbor(15)/Ypsilanti(2) No single other city has more than 3 companies being served within it 1,011 students have completed the internship application and are in our intern talent pool

Whats Different?

Students apply visiting https://annarborusa.org/stem-forward/ link. Once they ve applied, they have access to the MI STEM Forward Job Board. College students submit their information to showcase their talent within an industry, interests in location, and expected year of graduation. Once a company interviews and matches to an intern, they are onboarded via agreements (DocuSign and Paychex) and legal documentation through which SPARK will hire the student as a temporary W-2. How It Works Students Student supplies SPARK with a supervisor-approved timesheet on a bi-monthly basis via a provided Google form. SPARK will handle all payroll, tax, and compliance responsibilities. Additionally, the timesheets, approvals, payments to students, and collecting funds from companies. Companies will be charged 11% of 100% total wages to cover FICA, FUTA taxes, and work comp associated with direct wages

Navigate to program website and create TrueJob account TrueJob Accept/Decline Email response from TrueJob; Access to talent pool (start interviewing), Part 2 Google Form How It Works Companies Company can now upload job description under TrueJob Referral form sent to point person at company-identified partner or (if none is specified) to the entity that is closest Company will be sent a DocuSign agreement to sign

Hello, A company from your area has applied to participate in the MI STEM Forward Internship Matching Program. They have either listed you as their referrer or did not list a referrer and are closest to your organization by geography. Company Name: PJ Wallbank Springs Contact Person: Joe the Manager (joe.the.manager@pjws.com) Please click here to complete a referral for the company at your earliest convenience. Thanks! Ben

Referral Form Company can now upload job description under TrueJob

To what extent is the company applying a tech company? No tech, uses tech but no proprietary tech, scalable, tech company How would you rate the company s financial need? Mature company, little financial need, early-stage company, little to no revenue Does the company have a history with interns? Never had an intern, has had 3-5 interns, has established, well-managed internship program Referral Questions Company can now upload job description under TrueJob How would you rate the strength of the direct supervisor? No experience, limited ability to supervise, strong supervision with structured, multiple intern program How strong of a referral would you give this company? No referral, referral with moderate endorsement, referral with glowing endorsement What is the company s status regarding hiring? Not hiring within the next 12 months, would like to hire, but financial stability creates doubt, aggressively hiring Notes

SPARK - Accept/Decline job description Company contacts SPARK (email mistemforward@annarborusa.org) after intern has accepted an offer How It Works Companies Remaining information is gathered by SPARK. Agreement is sent for signature (DocuSign) and intern legal documentation (Paychex) Timesheet procedure is administered (bi-monthly) via Google Sheets Company matching reimbursement is invoiced (bi-monthly)

Thank You Questions, Comments, or Concerns? MIstemforward@annarborusa.org or ben.ernst@annarborusa.org