YOUNGSTOWN — A new pilot program, the Procurement Internship Program, is launching for students at Youngstown State University that looks to pair them with small to midsized Mahoning Valley companies, setting them up with interns freshly trained in government procurement.

PIP was created in collaboration between YSU’s Ohio Procurement Technical Assistance Center and the Ohio Department of Development.

Providing government procurement is an essential component for government agencies to have the ability to secure goods and services, including construction services or public goods. Examples are national defense, public transit and public infrastructure.

The process requires input factors from private companies to help provide public goods, such as buses for public transit or cars driven by local law enforcement.

PIP was designed to address workforce challenges faced when private-sector companies market to customers and respond to contract opportunities in the government marketplace.

Under the tutelage of instructor Joseph Scott, the Williamson College of Business Administration will offer the three-credit hour courses in spring 2023.

“This pilot program is an opportunity for students to explore the field of government contracting and for Procurement Technical Assistance Center clients to leverage the students’ knowledge and skills to further their own government sales efforts,” said Scott.

The main focuses of the program, according to Rich Delisio, PTAC program director, are learning proposal writing and proposal review.

After completing the program, students will apply their knowledge to a company they’re paired with to take part in a full-time, 12-week summer internship. Participating students will earn $17 an hour and receive three additional college credits.

Companies that host an intern during the summer are reimbursed for $5,000 of the intern’s income.

Delisio said the state department of development pays for half of the wages being reimbursed. YSU funds the program like a regular class.

PIP was replicated after the successful Ohio Export Internship Program that has been operating for nine years at YSU with a focus on exporting and international trade.

cmcbride@tribtoday.com