CTAE Internships Help Polk County Students Gain Valuable Experience, Potentially Landing Jobs
Polk County Public Schools’ Career and Technical Education program continues to supply local businesses with well-trained talent, and its internship program is helping further that mission.
As part of their Career Academies, Polk County Public Schools offers internships and on-the-job training opportunities for high school students. The programs are embedded in the curriculum, and students often earn industry certifications, often in high-skill, high-wage and high-demand fields.
“Internships are a win-win for both students and businesses,” said Leann Bennett, Senior Director of Career and Technical Education. “It gives students a chance to gain hands-on experience in industries they’re interested in. At the same time, it allows local businesses to connect with their future workforce, see where the talent is and help shape it. It’s also a great way for businesses to share what’s working in their field and what skills they’re looking for, which helps us make sure we’re preparing students in the best way possible. It’s more than just an internship; it’s a partnership that helps bridge the gap between education and industry.”
Starting the CTAE
The CTAE (Career, Technical, and Adult Education) Internship Program started in the 2021–2022 school year. It placed 16 students in internships and 11 in pre-apprenticeships. “It was initially funded by resources earmarked by the superintendent. The program later secured grant funding to continue offering paid opportunities,” Bennett said.
“In the 2023-24 school year, we established the process of hiring students as employees of PCPS and paying them with Title IV funds,” Bennett said. “The students experienced the entire hiring process – completing paperwork, onboarding, fingerprinting, drug testing, etc. It was a valuable learning experience for them. We hired and placed 16 students that summer. We also sent multiple students to CareerSource for internships and nine of them completed CareerSource’s summer program.”
School advisory boards long have established partnerships that offer valuable internship experiences, as well, she said.
Summer of 2025
In the summer of 2025, the internship program placed 28 students with 16 business hosts.
“Several students were invited to come back after high school for a job opportunity, one was offered a position but declined due to attending college this fall, and several were offered an extension in their internship beyond our cutoff date,” Bennett said.
Employers and students have the program five out of five stars in a feedback survey, she said.
In a similar program, Bartow Ford hired one intern for the summer “through a partnership with Bartow Ford and Mulberry High School. This initiative, separate from the district internship program, continues to work toward hiring more students and offering on-the-job training opportunities for students to work during the school year.”
Over the years, several students have been hired by their internship provider, Bennett said.
“The CTAE Internship Program is more than a summer opportunity. It’s a strategic investment in Polk County’s future workforce,” she said. “It fosters meaningful relationships between students and employers, builds confidence and helps students envision their place in the professional world.”
If you are interested in learning more about how you can partnet with Polk County Public Schools Career and Technical Education department please contact Leann Bennett at leann.bennett@polk-fl.net.
