Employers

Build Your Talent Pipeline with V-TOP and InternshipsVA

Virginia employers can strengthen their workforce by offering high-quality, paid internships that build a skilled talent pipeline. SCHEV’s Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP) and VEDP’s InternshipsVA program are teaming up to expand these opportunities across the state.

V-TOP Resources for Employers

Expanded Work-Based Learning Opportunities.

Teamship Virginia.

As we work to expand the definition of internships throughout the state, we’ve partnered with Teamship to bring a new work-based learning (WBL) experience to students. Teamship is a reimagined, team-based work-based learning (WBL) program that students can participate in through their institutions or join virtually with peers from across the state.

Teamship Virginia, in partnership with V-TOP, is a virtual, synchronous WBL program open to all undergraduate students enrolled in a Virginia higher education institution. The spring 2026 pilot applications will open on Monday, February 2nd for students to apply. Details and program information can be found here.

Why Teamship for your students?

• Build durable skills employers want most: collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.
• Students gain real work experience without waiting until their junior or senior year to do a formal internship.
• Grow your students’ social capital and professional network by working with business leaders across Virginia.
• Help your students stand out in a crowded job market with tangible, team-based problem-solving experience.

To learn more about Teamship, please reach out for more information here.

InternshipsVA

InternshipsVA supports employers of all sizes by helping them design internships, recruit students, and access matching grants, while V-TOP works with universities to help students gain the skills needed to be internship-ready.

Why Employers Should Participate

Building a strong workforce requires early investment in talent. Paid internships provide a competitive advantage by cultivating skilled, loyal employees and strengthening long-term business success. Employers benefit from:

• Access to a ready pool of motivated, career-ready students
• Opportunities to evaluate potential hires before full-time recruitment
• Reduced hiring costs and improved retention
  

How to Get Started

Getting started is easy — InternshipsVA handles the support so you can focus on building your team.

• Design Internships – Create internships that attract top student talent.
• Use Employer Resources – Access free online modules, toolkits, and best-practice guides to save time and improve program quality.
• Recruit and Host Interns – Hire students and provide meaningful work experiences with support from InternshipsVA and Handshake–career platform.
• Access Matching Grants – Receive funding for student wages if your organization qualifies.

Contact InternshipsVA to get started →