Data provided by the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation for Jan. 1 to mid-July of 2018 versus the same period last year show significant increases in interns hired and MCAA members hiring interns. Interns hired increased 13 percent along with an 18 percent increase in contractors doing the hiring.

Since its 2015 “Year of the Intern,” MCAA members have come to view hiring interns as opportunities to identify and evaluate potential full-time hires for their organizations. MCAA members are increasingly realizing the value proposition of having talented, young interns work at their companies. In the period mentioned in 2017, 184 interns were hired by 116 MCAA member companies; in the same period in 2018, 208 interns were hired by 137 member firms.

Building a structured internship program provides the opportunity for member firms to recruit talented students and provides a flexible, cost-effective labor force without a long-term commitment. MCAA believes that students who work for one of its members will enhance their education, their professional experience, and their interest in the mechanical contracting industry.

As a result, MCAA, through the MCERF, offers internship grants to current members who hire undergraduates as interns.

Grant description

The amount of the 2018 Internship Grant is $1,000 per intern hired by an MCAA member firm, up to two interns. Grants are paid in the form a check from the MCERF to the member company. The grant check will be sent upon the acceptance of the company’s 2018 Student Internship Application.

To apply for a grant, click here.

Eligibility

An eligible MCAA member is one whose membership is currently in good standing with the MCAA. MCAA members include its mechanical contractor and mechanical service members, plumbing members and its Manufacturer/Supplier Council members.