Hawaiʻi’s workforce challenge isn’t recruiting harder—it’s aligning skills with real work. Employers across the state struggle to find job-ready talent with the right skills and experience, while students and early-career workers often can’t see clear, accessible pathways into local careers. Internships sit squarely at that intersection, yet many small and mid-sized employers hesitate to use them strategically. 

While the will may be there, the challenges to implementation are real. Employers cite limited time, uncertainty around program structure, concerns about supervision capacity, questions about pay and funding, and confusion about how to align internships with actual business needs. Without a clear playbook, internships can feel risky—or simply too heavy of a lift. 

But the data tells a different story. Employers with structured internship programs are far more likely to convert interns into full-time hires, with higher retention and faster ramp-up. Internships actually reduce recruiting costs, create a skilled talent pipeline, and help bridge the gap between education and employment—particularly in mid-skill and professional roles. 

That’s where the Hawaiʻi Internship Summit comes in. Hosted in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Workforce Development Council, the first-ever Summit is designed specifically for small and mid-sized employers. Participants will hear directly from local employers who have built successful internship programs—what worked, what didn’t, and how they made it manageable—while also learning about funding, tools, and resources that support internship success. The day will also feature intern perspectives, highlighting the real-world experiences that helped prepare them for work, as well as recognition of excellence in Hawaiʻi internship programs.  

Internships are a smart, scalable workforce strategy. Register here to join us!