somd 2030 workforce – PAX Partnership/STEM-Link

SOMD 2030 Workforce Development

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

ABOUT SoMD 2030
SoMD 2030 is focused on building up our STEM pipeline, increasing career opportunities, and expanding partnerships with government, industry, and academia. This collaborative effort is funded by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aviation Division (NAWCAD). The Patuxent Partnership (TPP) is accomplishing the work under our Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) with NAWCAD. We are working 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 SoMD 2030 funding is due to the continued efforts of the Southern Maryland Navy Alliance.

SoMD 2030 connects talented students with paid apprenticeships and internships in southern MD. It enhances the success of the TechJobsRule (TJR) high school apprentice program with 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. It creates college internship opportunities with local industry, government, and nonprofits – leading to additional education and career opportunities.

FOR COMPANIES

ARE YOU A COMPANY THAT WANTS TO HOST A HIGH SCHOOL APPRENTICE OR COLLEGE INTERN?
DO YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SPARK! STUDENT CAREER AWARENESS FAIR ON March 13, 2025 for all SoMD counties?
We are seeking companies that want to host high school apprentices and/or college interns. The grant awarded by NAWCAD provides seed funding to get students into jobs in the STEM pipeline.

High school apprentices will work 450 hours during the academic year (mid-June 2024 through May 1, 2025).
College interns will participate in an 8-week summer internship program (30 hours/week) from June 9, 2025 – August 4, 2025.
College interns are hired by TPP and paid by funding provided to SOMD 2030 ($17/hour).
Interns and apprentices must have mentors/supervisors that are in the department they are working in, not HR or Talent Acquisition Group. 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

The 3rd cohort of Summer college interns will be June 9- August 4, 2025. There are many benefits for college students participating in an internship, to include-

Valuable experience for 8 weeks during the summer
Earn money while learning sought-after skills ($17/hour)
Potentially earn 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 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: for St. Mary’s County -Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center students ONLY (until program is expanded)
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
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 13 | 8am – 2:30pm
USMSM SMART Building

>>>Spark students’ interest in career opportunities available in Southern MD!
>>>Participate in the 3rd 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 9th & 10th graders.

MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES

Spark! Student career awareness fair for 9th, 10th & 11th graders – March 30th 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

Friday, Oct 11 @ 10am
Thursday, Oct 24 @ 1pm
Fri, Oct 27th @ 10am

VIRTUAL INFO SESSIONS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

Wednesday, December 4 @ 6p
Thursday, December 12 @ 3pm
Monday, January 6 @ 6pm
Thursday January 9 @ 12pm

ON-CAMPUS DATES

*Oct 29th @ SMCM Internship & Career Fair (10am-2pm)
*Nov 7 @ CSM LaPlata (4-7pm) in CE Bldg 102- Conf room
*Nov 8: UMD College Park (11am-2pm, Glenn Martin Bldg – lobby)
*Nov 15: Towson University ( Computer Science & Math-10am-12pm, York Rd Bldg; Business/Econ-12-3pm, Stephens Hall, 1st fl)
*Nov 20: SMCM (11:30am-12:30-pm Campus Center, Rm 205)
*Nov 30 @ CSM Leonardtown (12-4pm) – Bldg C- room 203 conf rm

IMPORTANT DATES FOR SUMMER COLLEGE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Early December 2024	Deadline for companies to submit job descriptions for internships on GradLeaders.
Late December 2024	Intern applications due Screening interviews with SoMD 2030 Director
January 2025	Intern virtual interviews conducted with companies (With option for in-person if available)
February 2025	Companies return interview feedback/preferred candidates
Mon, Feb 5 Mon, Feb 12 Fri, Feb 16 Fri, Apr 5 Fri, Apr 12	Companies receive confirmation of intern placement Intern offers emailed Deadline for interns to accept placement Deadline for interns to complete pre-employment screening/ drug test IF REQUIRED BY COMPANY Deadline for companies and interns to submit agreement
June 10 – August 2	Internship program dates (30 hours/week)
Mon, June 10 (9am-3pm)	Summer Internship Orientation – to include tour of NAS Pax River
Throughout summer	Professional Development Sessions (Fridays from 9-11am; lunch from 11am-12pm)
Thurs, August 1 (5-6:30pm)	End of program social/recognition

IMPORTANT DATES FOR AMP/TechJobsRule HIGH SCHOOL APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

Fri, Mar 10, 2024	Deadline for companies to submit interest form
Tues, Apr 25 – Fri, May 19, 2024	Companies conduct interviews
Fri, May 19, 2024	Companies submit prioritized list to FTC staff
Tues, May 30, 2024	Students accept/decline placement
Mid-June, 2024 – May 1, 2025	Apprenticeship program (450 total hours)
Mid-May 2025	AMP/TJR recognition ceremony

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Chris Abell
SoMD 2030 Workforce Development Director
The Patuxent Partnership
Email: chris.abell@paxpartnership.org
Phone: (o) 240-317-6018 x 318 | (c) 443-401-2489