somd 2030 workforce – PAX Partnership/STEM-Link

SOUTHERn MARYLAND Workforce Development

Identify, hire, and retain talent in southern MD
Paid internships, apprenticeship opportunities, and more…

TPP is focused on building up our STEM pipeline, identifying career opportunities, and expanding partnerships with government, industry, and academia. We work with St. Mary’s College of Maryland, the College of Southern Maryland, St. Mary’s, Charles and Calvert County Public Schools, as well as other schools, industry, and NAWCAD.

The Patuxent Partnership connects talented students with paid apprenticeships and internship opportunities in Southern MD. The Patuxent Partnership is part of the TechJobsRule (TJR) high school apprentice program at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center (Forrest Tech Center) of St. Mary’s County Public Schools, NAWCAD, TPP member companies and the Apprenticeship Maryland Program (AMP) approved employers in St. Mary’s County. The Patuxent Partnership works with internship work opportunities with local industry, government, and nonprofits to identify internships and other resources.

TPP annually funds two full pathways to Engineering scholarships at CSM. TPP also provides two $5K Physics scholarships annually at SMCM.

FOR COMPANIES

ARE YOU A COMPANY INTERESTED IN HOSTING A HIGH SCHOOL APPRENTICE OR COLLEGE INTERN? DO YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SPARK! STUDENT CAREER AWARENESS FAIR ON March 25TH, 2026 for all St. Mary’s Calvert & Charles Counties?
We are seeking companies interested in hosting high school apprentices and/or college interns.

High school apprentices work 450 hours during the academic year (mid-June 2026 through May 1st, 2027).
College interns will participate in an 8-week summer internship program (30 hours/week) from June 9, 2026 – July 31, 2026.
College interns will be funded by the participating organization ($17/hour).
Interns and apprentices must have mentors/supervisors in the department where they are working. Most importantly, they must have meaningful work.
Please note – Students participating in AMP/Tech Jobs Rule are primarily under 18 years of age and will require special permission to access NAS Pax River and WOLF (Webster Outlying Field).

COLLEGE INTERNSHIP BENEFITS & REQUIREMENTS

College interns will be from June 8 to July 31, 2026. Benefits to college students participating in an internship include-
Valuable 8-week experience
Earn while learning sought-after skills ($17/hour)
Possible college credit for internship hours completed (eligibility depends on school requirements)
Learn from mentors who are leaders in their field
Network and make connections to local industry and government agencies in Southern MD
Participate in educational and social events for the intern cohort
Meet, connect, and grow with other college intern participants

View slideshow from recognition ceremony for the Summer interns – featuring the companies they worked at, their internship positions and projects they worked on!

HIGH SCHOOL APPRENTICESHIP BENEFITS

NOTE: St. Mary’s County participation currently is limited to – Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center students
Complete an apprenticeship in a high-demand career field while earning credits toward a HS diploma (must complete 450 hours)
Earn money while learning sought-after skills and considering career paths
Connection to Apprenticeship Maryland Program (AMP) and Tech Jobs Rule (TJR) – companies are vetted and approved by MD Department of Labor
Participate in job-recruiting events hosted for students

Spark! Student Career Awareness Fair

Spark! Student Career Awareness Fair
Thursday, March 25 | 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
USMSM SMART Building

>>>Spark students’ interest in career opportunities available in Southern MD!
>>>Participate in the 4th Annual Spark!: Student Career Awareness Fair and showcase jobs/career paths that students can consider for their future.

SEEKING COMPANIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FAIR.

By registering, companies agree to have interactive, hands-on, demonstrative booths. The more students can actively participate, the better!)
This is NOT a job fair with recruiters handing out job postings. We want students to have an engaging experience, while learning about potential careers, to include understanding the path required to get there! This fair is geared toward 10th & 11th graders.

MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES

Spark! Student career awareness fair for 10th & 11th graders – March 25th at USMSM SMART Building
School trips to NAS Patuxent River, SMART Building and MATRIX Lab at USMSM, Patuxent River Naval Air Museum, AeroPark Innovation District
Participate in Youth in Aviation program
Summer camps and more!

ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO BE DEVELOPED

Cyber certificate programs
Business/finance certificates

Resources

*NOTE: All PDFs linked are reference documents. All profiles, interest forms, intern job descriptions and company/intern agreements MUST BE COMPLETED and are maintained in the GradLeaders portal.

VIRTUAL INFO SESSIONS FOR COMPANIES

Wednesday, February 19th, 2026 | 10 am

VIRTUAL INFO SESSIONS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

March 11th, 2026 | 3 pm for SMCM, CSM, UMDCP, TOWSON

IMPORTANT DATES FOR SUMMER COLLEGE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

March 31st, 2026	Deadline for companies to submit job descriptions for internships on GradLeaders.
April 28th	Intern applications due Screening interviews with Director
June 8th-July 31st	Internship program dates (30 hours/week) Companies may extend work schedule
June 10 (9am-3pm)	Summer Internship Orientation – includes tour of NAS PAX River
June – July 2026 (Fridays 10:30 AM)	Professional Development Session(s)
August 5th (5-6:30pm)	Recognition Program – PRNAM

IMPORTANT DATES FOR AMP/TechJobsRule HIGH SCHOOL APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

March 31st 2026 | Deadline for companies to submit interest form

April- May 2026 | Companies conduct interviews

May 27, 2026 | Students accept/decline placement

Mid June, 2026 – May 2027 | Apprenticeship Program (450 total hours)

Mid May, 2027 AMP/TJR recognition ceremony|

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Michelle Reloba

Director of Operations
The Patuxent Partnership
Email: michelle.reloba@paxpartnership.org
Phone: (o) 301-866-1739

Bonnie M. Green
Executive Director
The Patuxent Partnership
Email: bonnie.green@paxpartnership.org
Phone: (Office) 301-866-9705 / (Cell) 410-271-5310