Quick answer: To host interns in San Bernardino County, contact the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Department's Business Services Team at (800) 451-JOBS and ask to become a work-experience worksite. In most county programs, a provider or the county is the employer of record and pays the wages. You supply a safe workplace, a supervisor, real tasks and signed timesheets. The Ayangbah Foundation is an approved worksite and has hosted and mentored 10 interns, and we're glad to share what we've learned.
Why Host Interns in San Bernardino County?
Work experience is a low-risk way to meet future employees. You see how someone shows up, learns and works with customers before you make a hiring decision. The participant gets a reference, a resume line and real workplace habits.
The need is real. In the City of San Bernardino, 18.6% of residents live in poverty and 13.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree (U.S. Census QuickFacts). In Adelanto only 7.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, and in Victorville 18.4% of residents live in poverty (U.S. Census). Many young adults and job seekers in these cities have never had a first job that someone took the time to teach. A short, supervised placement can change that.
Employers across the county can take part, from Ontario and Fontana warehouses and offices to Redlands schools, clinics and nonprofits to small shops in Highland and Hesperia.
County Work-Experience Programs Employers Can Join
The county runs or funds several kinds of placements. The rules differ, so ask your Business Services Representative which one fits.
WIOA Youth work experience
The county's WIOA Youth Providers Handbook (Chapter 5) defines work experience as "a planned, structured learning experience" in a workplace for a limited time. Key rules:
- Placements may be at private for-profit, nonprofit or public employers.
- For paid work experience, the Youth Provider is the employer of record, not you.
- Placements total 120 to 240 hours, with a maximum of 8 hours a day and 40 a week. Overtime is not allowed.
- Youth earn at least state or local minimum wage and are paid only for hours on a signed timesheet.
- Internships and job shadowing are also allowed. The handbook describes internships as temporary, unpaid workplace exposure.
Transitional Jobs
The county's Transitional Jobs flyer says the department "fully covers wages for extra help positions." Participants can work up to 40 hours a week, with a maximum of 320 hours. Employers host participants as worksites.
CalWORKs Work Experience (WEX)
The county's Transitional Assistance Department runs WEX for CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work customers. Its "WEX 101" flyer calls it "temporary, paid employment training" in areas such as clerical, food service, janitorial, security and customer service. Paid participants earn the California minimum wage.
What Employers Do When They Host Interns in San Bernardino County
Hosting is not hard, but it does take commitment. Here's what the county's rules ask of a worksite:
- Sign a worksite agreement. It lists your contact, the supervisor's name and phone, hours, wages, duties and terms. You and the participant both sign it.
- Name a supervisor. The handbook asks employers to work closely with provider staff and support participants who face employment barriers.
- Give real, safe work. Provide proper equipment and safety training. Worksites must not be unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous.
- Track hours. Sign timesheets and stick to the agreed schedule. Participants aren't paid for lunch breaks or holidays.
- Allow monitoring. Provider staff check in by visit, phone or email and fix problems quickly.
- Follow work-permit rules. Minors under 18 need a California work permit, and you need a permit to employ minors.
There are also limits. You can't use a participant to fill a job left open by a strike or lockout. You're not eligible if you have someone laid off from the same position, would cut current workers' hours, or have a hiring freeze on that role. For-profit placements must not look like a wage subsidy for the business.
Our Experience as an Approved Worksite
The Ayangbah Foundation is an approved work-experience worksite with the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Department. We have hosted and mentored 10 interns at our office at 255 N. D Street in downtown San Bernardino.
Our advice for first-time hosts:
- Clear tasks from day one. Interns learn faster with a written list of duties and one person to ask.
- Teach workplace basics. Many first-time workers need coaching on email, scheduling and professional communication. Our 40-hour Career Readiness & Entrepreneurship Employment Training certificate covers these skills.
- Regular check-ins. Short weekly conversations catch small problems before they grow.
If you're a business considering your first intern, we can talk you through it. We may also be able to connect you with job seekers who have completed our training. If you'd rather hire and train right away, see our guide to on-the-job training reimbursement, which may cover part of a new hire's wages.
How to Partner With Us
Want to host interns, refer participants or set up training for your team? Send a partnership request or call (909) 454-7076. You can also review all our employer solutions or see our impact so far.
FAQ
How do I become a work experience worksite in San Bernardino County?
Call the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Department's Business Services Team at (800) 451-JOBS or email Info.Workforce@eda.sbcounty.gov. A representative will match you with the right program and worksite agreement.
Who pays interns in San Bernardino County work experience programs?
Usually not the host employer. In WIOA Youth paid work experience, the Youth Provider is the employer of record, and the county's Transitional Jobs program fully covers wages for extra-help positions.
How many hours can a work experience participant work?
WIOA Youth placements run 120 to 240 hours total, up to 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week. Transitional Jobs participants can work 40 hours a week, up to 320 hours.
Can a small business or nonprofit host interns in San Bernardino County?
Yes. The county's rules allow private for-profit, nonprofit and public worksites. The Ayangbah Foundation, a small nonprofit, is an approved worksite and has hosted 10 interns.
Do I have to hire the intern after the placement ends?
No, hiring isn't required. Many employers use the placement to see if a participant is a good fit, and on-the-job training funds may help if you decide to hire.
Sources: San Bernardino County Workforce Development Department, WIOA Youth Providers Handbook, Chapter 5: Work Experience; San Bernardino County Workforce Development Department, Transitional Jobs flyer and Business Services flyer; San Bernardino County Transitional Assistance Department, "WEX 101" flyer (10/24); U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, San Bernardino, Adelanto and Victorville cities.