Connecting Virginia Businesses with Emerging Talent
EO Companies and VEDP have partnered to help employers design and launch high-quality paid internships that build strong local talent pipelines.
What Is the Innovative Internship Program?
The Innovative Internship Program is a statewide initiative led by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) to help employers across the Commonwealth create and expand high-quality paid internships. Funded by the Commonwealth of Virginia, the program connects businesses with college students seeking real-world experience — strengthening Virginia’s workforce and helping companies build their future talent pipelines.
EO Companies serves as VEDP’s regional intermediary, covering Southwest and Central Virginia. EO works directly with local employers to design meaningful internships, provide hands-on guidance, and ensure that internship programs meet both business needs and student career goals.
The Innovative Internship Program service area includes Alleghany, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Buchanan, Campbell, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Roanoke, Russell, Pulaski, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe Counties and the Cities of Bristol, Covington, Galax, Lynchburg, Norton, Radford, Roanoke, Salem.
Why It Matters
Our employers face a common challenge — finding and keeping skilled talent. The Innovative Internship Program helps address that challenge by making it easier for businesses to build meaningful connections with emerging professionals and strengthen their local workforce.
Here’s why it matters for your business:
Internships create a direct pathway for young professionals to gain experience — and for employers to discover and retain motivated future employees.
Partnering through EO Companies opens doors to regional higher-education institutions and career-ready students eager to contribute.
Access expert guidance, training resources, and potential funding opportunities to help you design or expand a high-quality paid internship program.
Participating businesses demonstrate leadership and commitment to growing the region’s next generation of talent.
How EO Companies Helps Employers
EO Companies serves as the partner to VEDP for employer engagement, working directly with businesses to make internship development simple, supported, and successful. Whether you’re launching your first internship or improving an existing program, EO provides one-on-one guidance and practical tools to help every step of the way.
Here’s how we can help your business succeed:
- Consultation + Program Design
We work with you to identify business needs, craft meaningful internship roles, and develop clear learning goals that benefit both the intern and the employer. - Employer Readiness + Training
Access easy-to-use toolkits, templates, and training modules that prepare your team to host high-quality paid internships with confidence. - Recruitment + Candidate Support
Receive assistance with outreach, posting opportunities, and connecting with students through colleges, universities, and regional partners. - Funding + Incentive Guidance
Learn how to take advantage of state-funded support or grant opportunities available through the Innovative Internship Program. - Ongoing Coaching + Success Tracking
EO helps you evaluate your program’s results, share success stories, and refine your approach over time to ensure lasting workforce impact.
Our goal is simple: to make it easy for employers to invest in internships that work — for your business, your community, and Virginia’s future workforce.
Steps to Get Started
Getting started is simple. EO Companies will guide you through each step — from exploring your internship ideas to celebrating your first success story.
Here’s how the process works:
- Connect with EO’s Team
Reach out to start a conversation about your business, your goals, and how internships could strengthen your workforce. - Attend an Employer Information Session or Consultation
Learn more about program benefits, available resources, and how EO can help design internships that align with your company’s needs. - Design Your Internship Program
With EO’s guidance, create a structured internship experience — including role descriptions, learning objectives, and onboarding plans. - Launch and Host Your Interns
Begin welcoming student interns into your workplace and receive support from EO throughout the process to ensure success for both employer and intern. - Celebrate and Share Your Success
EO will help highlight your company’s achievements and share success stories that inspire other businesses across the region.
Ready to Get Started?
Our Team
The Innovative Internship Program is designed to be hands-on — and your first point of contact is EO Companies’ Regional Internship Manager, who serves as your local guide and partner throughout the process.
Your Internship Manager will:
- Help your business design and launch high-quality internship programs
- Connect you with local colleges and universities to recruit student talent
- Provide training, templates, and on-demand support throughout the internship lifecycle
- Track outcomes and share success stories that showcase your company’s impact
Whether you’re exploring your first internship or scaling an existing program, your Internship Manager is here to make it easy, practical, and successful.
Success Stories
Businesses are already discovering the value of high-quality internships — gaining fresh perspectives, building stronger teams, and helping young professionals take their first career steps right here at home.
In the months ahead, we’ll be sharing stories from employers and interns who are making an impact through the Innovative Internship Program. These profiles will highlight:
- How employers designed meaningful internships with EO’s support
- The real results companies are seeing from their interns
- The personal experiences of students who gained career-building opportunities close to home
Stay tuned for success stories that show how investing in Virginia’s talent pays off — for businesses, communities, and our shared future.
EO is a partner of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.
