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Sacramento, Calif., – The Innovation Hub (iHub) Program within the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) today announced a partnership with the Linked Learning Alliance to provide high school students with more opportunities to participate in industry-recognized internship programs. This partnership will leverage websites including LaunchPath and the GO-Biz California Business Portal to simplify the process by which employers and students design meaningful internship programs.

“It is an exciting time to be able to partner with education leaders to improve California’s economic and workforce outcomes,” said Louis Stewart, Deputy Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at GO-Biz. “We hear consistently from our business partners the importance of building a strong talent pipeline. By collaborating with the Linked Learning Alliance we are finding innovative ways to help businesses develop a pipeline of highly skilled and well-prepared employees, equipped with the skills to succeed in both the workplace and college.”

This partnership will help businesses host internships, jobs shadows, and support other real-world workplace experiences that give students exposure to the professional world and diverse career opportunities

One primary tool for this partnership will be LaunchPath.com. This platform brings together California Community Colleges, Linked Learning high schools, and regional employers to collaborate to develop meaningful internship experiences. LaunchPath’s advanced matching and skills badging platform identifies students with the right interests and experiences and simplifies the process of creating beneficial work-based learning experiences for these students.

“Linked Learning prepares students for college, career, and life, and employers are essential partners in this process,” said Hilary McLean, Executive Vice President, Linked Learning Alliance. “The Linked Learning movement is rapidly expanding, with more than 1,200 pathways aspiring to offer the Linked Learning opportunities to students. Students benefit tremendously from professional experiences in the real world of work, and because Linked Learning students get technical and academic training in industry-themed pathways, they are prepared to contribute in the workplace during their internships. We are thrilled that GO-Biz is encouraging employers to build connections with Linked Learning pathways and offer work-based learning opportunities for Linked Learning students. By sharing their expertise and industry knowledge with students, businesses can build relationships with a pool of talented and motivated future employees.”

GO-Biz and the Linked Learning Alliance will also collaborate to drive business-education partnerships, co-host events, and pursue the development of new, innovative strategies to advance California’s economy. Receiving work-based learning experiences is crucial for preparing young people for success in college and in the workforce. Employers, meanwhile, benefit from building relationships with Linked Learning students who are interested in a career in the industry sector and bring energy, innovation, and technical knowledge gained from their Linked Learning pathway experience.

The GO-Biz Business Portal (Businessportal.ca.gov) will also strengthen this partnership by providing business owners with more information about resources for designing internship programs. Launched in May 2015, the California Business Portal is a one-stop shop website for businesses seeking information on incentives, permits, registration requirements, and business resources in California.

The GO-Biz California iHub program improves the state’s national and global competitiveness by stimulating partnerships, economic development, and job creation around specific research clusters through state-designated iHubs. The iHubs leverage assets such as research parks, technology incubators, universities, and federal laboratories to provide an innovation platform for startup companies, economic development organizations, business groups, and venture capitalists. The iHub program also serves to convene key stakeholders needed to support GO-Biz activities throughout the state as well as stimulate entrepreneurship and the development of California’s innovation workforce.  This partnership is one such mechanism that will reinforce California’s leadership position in education, innovation and workforce development.

The partnership between GO-Biz and Linked Learning Alliance will span 16 key regions across California, all of which are members of the GO-Biz iHub network.  These regions include: Sacramento, North Bay, San Francisco, Livermore, East Bay, San Jose/Silicon Valley, Bakersfield, Inland SoCal, Central California, Los Angeles, Santa Ana, Coachella Valley, San Diego, North State, Torrance, and San Joaquin.

About Linked Learning Alliance
The Linked Learning Alliance is a statewide coalition of education, industry, and community organizations dedicated to improving California’s high schools and preparing students for success in college, career, and life. Established in May 2008, the Linked Learning Alliance aims to build a collective voice and coordinate efforts to expand access to Linked Learning in California—an approach to high school that integrates rigorous academics with real-world learning opportunities in fields of engineering, health care, performing arts, law, and more.

For more information about the Linked Learning Alliance, please contact Kelly Reynolds at kelly@linkedlearning.org or 916.248.4848.

About California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) was created by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. to serve as California’s single point of contact for economic development and job creation efforts. GO-Biz offers a range of services to business owners including: attraction, retention and expansion services, site selection, permit streamlining, clearing of regulatory hurdles, small business assistance, international trade development, assistance with state government, and much more.