[§394-11]  State internship and workforce development program.  (a)  There is established within the department of labor and industrial relations the state internship and workforce development program.  The department of labor and industrial relations shall collaborate with the department of human resources development to process all public program applications and place interns in temporary or permanent positions at state executive branch departments, agencies, or programs.  The program shall:

     (1)  Provide paid internship opportunities within various state departments and agencies;

     (2)  Prioritize placement in departments with significant workforce shortages; and

     (3)  Include comprehensive training, mentorship, and evaluation components.

     (b)  Selection of internship participants shall be based upon:

     (1)  Academic achievement or relevant work experience;

     (2)  Interest in public service careers; and

     (3)  Alignment with departmental workforce needs.

     (c)  As part of the program, internship participants shall:

     (1)  Attend and actively participate in all required work experience training sessions;

     (2)  Perform assigned duties and responsibilities in accordance with program guidelines; and

     (3)  Adhere to workplace policies and procedures.

     (d)  As part of the program, coordinating agency work sites shall:

     (1)  Provide meaningful and adequate work experience to help interns meet the requirements for employment in the relevant position;

     (2)  Conduct regular performance evaluations of interns and provide feedback to the coordinating agency;

     (3)  Collaborate with the department of labor and industrial relations to create career pathways for interns; and

     (4)  Ensure that viable and vacant positions relative to the interns' field of study are available for them to participate in this program.

     (e)  The department of labor and industrial relations shall:

     (1)  Ensure that the experience gained through the program qualifies participants to apply for vacant positions of a similar level and scope within the hosting department;

     (2)  Develop standardized guidelines to align internship duties with the qualifications required for full-time employment;

     (3)  Provide ongoing support to coordinating agencies to ensure compliance with program objectives; and

     (4)  Collaborate with coordinating agencies to create career pathways for interns.

     (f)  As part of the program, participants shall receive opportunities for professional development and skills training.

     (g)  Before the first day of each internship, the department of labor and industrial relations shall provide the department of human resources development with:

     (1)  The name of the intern;

     (2)  The state executive branch department, agency, or program to which the intern is assigned;

     (3)  The expected start and end dates of the internship; and

     (4)  Any other relevant information that the department of human resources development may require to assist the intern in pursuing future employment with the state executive branch.

     (h)  For the purposes of this section:

     "Coordinating agency" means the participating State of Hawaii department, agency, or office hosting and employing an intern program participant.

     "Eligible participant" means an individual who meets established guidelines for participation in the program, including recent high school graduates, college students, and post-graduate students, and individuals seeking to transition into public service careers.

     "Internship program" or "program" means the state internship and workforce development program established pursuant to this section.

     "Participant" means an individual accepted into the internship program. [L 2025, c 251, pt of §2]