Arlington’s business community benefits from proximity to top universities and a strong pipeline of emerging talent. A state-backed initiative is now making it easier for local employers to tap that pipeline while reducing costs and strengthening long-term workforce strategies.

The InternshipsVA program, offered by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), helps Arlington companies build high-quality, paid internships that convert into full-time hires and keep graduates in the Commonwealth.

What is InternshipsVA?

InternshipsVA is designed to make it easier for employers to launch and grow internship programs. Key offerings include:

• Guidance from regional internship managers

• Free access to Handshake to recruit college students statewide

• Training, toolkits and best practices

• Matching grants covering up to 50 percent of intern wages

For Arlington employers, this translates to lower recruiting costs, simpler hiring processes and a clearer path from intern to employee.

A Financial Incentive That Supports Growth

A major draw is the matching grant program, which reimburses up to $7,500 per intern, covering as much as half of wages.

Eligible employers, typically those with 150 or fewer Virginia employees, can receive up to $75,000 annually.

In a competitive talent market, this support helps Arlington companies scale internship programs and compete for early-career talent.

Arlington Employers Already Seeing Value

Two Arlington-based companies, KnowBe4 and Hanwha Defense USA, illustrate how the program delivers results.

At cybersecurity firm KnowBe4, leadership views the program as a strategic hiring tool:

“Participating in the InternshipsVA program represents KnowBe4’s commitment to immerse students directly into high-impact, real-world roles as we continue to search for top talent,” said Veena Bricker, Chief Human Resources Officer at KnowBe4. “InternshipsVA provides a strategic framework, turnkey resources and a direct connection to motivated, career-ready students. We highly recommend InternshipsVA to any employer looking to reduce recruitment costs, boost long-term retention and launch valuable careers right here in Virginia.”

For Hanwha Defense USA, InternshipsVA enabled rapid expansion of its program:

“The help and support of VEDP was crucial to allowing us to get our internship program off the ground, especially in the pre-planning and launch phases,” said Tommy Howard, Talent Manager at Hanwha Defense USA. “We were able to double the number of internships we offered due to the wrap-around support that the InternshipsVA team provided. This has allowed for greater access to real-world experience for Virginia students interested in the defense industry and better understanding the intersection of our business, government affairs and communications operations.”

Together, these examples show how InternshipsVA has helped Arlington employers build talent pipelines aligned with their specific workforce needs.

Supporting Arlington’s Workforce Strategy

Internships are more than a short-term hiring tool. They are a key driver of regional competitiveness, helping align education with employer demand and encouraging graduates to begin their careers locally.

For Arlington, this supports business retention, talent attraction and sustaining a diverse, highly skilled workforce.

By lowering barriers and providing structure, InternshipsVA strengthens connections between employers and Virginia’s higher education system.

Easy to Get Started

Getting started is straightforward. Employers can:

• Complete a short training program

• Post internships on Handshake

• Apply for matching grant support before hiring

Companies remain in control of hiring and managing interns while benefiting from state support and resources.

Arlington Economic Development (AED) is proud to have connected KnowBe4 and Hanwha Defense USA to this valuable program. Arlington employers interested in launching or expanding an internship program are encouraged to contact AED’s Business Investment team to learn how to access funding, connect with student talent and build a stronger workforce pipeline.