Summer Youth Internship Program – Employer Toolkit

Welcome to CareerSource Polk’s Summer Youth Internship Program Resource Page for Polk County Employers! 

Thank you for your interest in serving as a host worksite for our Summer Youth Interns to explore careers, learn job skills, gain work experience, and earn income. Our Employer Worksite Toolkit is designed to help you navigate the process of applying to become an approved host worksite.  It is critical that all employers who desire to participate, understand the requirements of hosting interns, and commit to providing a safe work environment and a professional learning experience that aims to prepare our next generation of future leaders for success.

Process to Become an Approved Host Worksite

Step 1:  Read, understand, sign, and submit the 2025 Worksite Agreement by March 1, 2025

This document goes over all the requirements for a worksite to become approved. Once the agreement is signed and submitted you will receive a copy via email.

Step 2: Complete and submit the 2025 Worksite Application by April 17, 2025

Once CareerSource Polk team has reviewed and approved your agreement, you will receive a link to complete the 2025 Worksite Application.  The application is the document that provides information about all positions for which your organization will need an intern, the job description (tasks to be performed), and supervisors’ information.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  All adults who will supervise an intern will be responsible for reviewing and approving the timesheet(s) of the intern for which direct supervision has been provided.

Step 3: Attend an In-person Employer Orientation

All approved host worksites (participating employers) MUST attend the in-person Employer Orientation on Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 11:00 am–1:00pm. Location details will be provided closer to the orientation date.

Important Information About Worksite Approval

Unfortunately, not all worksite applications will be approved.

The team at CareerSource Polk is intentional about selecting those employers who understand the importance of preparing our future workforce by:

1. Treating each intern with dignity and respect

2. Providing adult guidance and constructive feedback that contributes to the growth and development of each intern

3. Following through on the host site supervisors’ obligations to ensure the success of the program by:

   • Communicating expectations to the intern upon the first day of their arrival
   • Timely reviewing and approving timesheets on a bi-weekly basis that accurately reflect time worked
   • Creating opportunities for the intern(s) to collectively work with others as a team
   • Completing a formal assessment (evaluation) of the intern’s performance during the length of internship

4. Provide CareerSource Polk Leadership feedback regarding your experience as a host site (this supports our goals of continuous improvement)

For any questions, concerns, or submission of documents, please send them to:

Barbara Mincy
Program Manager – Youth Services
[email protected]
863-508-1100 x 3327