Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board
Experience Works! PLUS
Experience Works! PLUS is an internship program coordinating opportunities for Westmoreland County and Fayette County young adults fulfilling unpaid internship opportunities with local organizations.
The benefit for students: gaining paid, relevant career experience in their field of study to prepare them for the workforce.
The benefit for organizations: hosting a low-cost intern to support operations and the area’s future workforce.
Important Updates
Experience Works! PLUS currently has limited slots available for internships of all fields for the 2026 summer semester. Priority will be given to high priority occupations, including those in AI, IT, robotics, and manufacturing. Please note: funding may be county-specific.
Deadlines
April 15 – Early bird deadline for applications and worksite/student matches. Applications submitted after April 15 will continue to be reviewed based on funding availability.
May 11 – Earliest permissible start date for internships.
Worksite Program Fee
The EWP program is an important component of supporting our local communities and workforce system by connecting young adults to paid internships and helping employers cultivate future talent. To sustain this effort, participating worksites are asked to contribute $1,000 per intern as a shared investment in workforce development. This contribution helps cover the infrastructure required for successful placements, including recruitment, participant preparation, employer coordination, and ongoing program management. This program fee helps preserve the EWP program as a practical and dependable workforce solution as funding conditions evolve. For additional information, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section below.
Interested? Email ewp@westfaywib.org for more details.
Submit Resumes, Applications, & Internship Job Descriptions to EWP@westfaywib.org!
Eligibility
Check to see if you’re eligible to participate in the Experience Works! PLUS program!
Interns
- Must be 18-24 years old
- Must be currently enrolled in a postsecondary institution or a high school senior
- Must be a resident of Westmoreland County or Fayette County
- Must seek an internship that closely aligns with your postsecondary major or career focus
- Learn more by reading the Experience Works! PLUS Handbook
Email EWP@westfaywib.org to apply today!
Worksites
- Must be located in or regionally close to Westmoreland County or Fayette County
- Can be either a for-profit or non-profit organization
- Cannot engage in work that is political or religious in nature
- Interns cannot be directly or indirectly supervised by a family member
- Must provide an internship opportunity that closely aligns with the student’s postsecondary major or area of career focus
- Must pay the program fee of $1,000
- Learn more by reading the Experience Works! PLUS Handbook
Email EWP@westfaywib.org to apply today!
Over
260
Internships Supported
Earn at least
$16.00/hour
as an intern
More than
114
worksites assisted
Program Process & Timeline
Application Submission
Both the intern and worksite must submit all application pieces before moving forward.
Onboarding
It takes about one to two weeks to complete onboarding.
Approval Email
After the review of the submitted application pieces and the completion of onboarding, the WFWIB will evaluate all materials to ensure the opportunity aligns with the Experience Works! PLUS program. It takes about one week before an approval email is sent.
Intern Begins
A confirmation form will be sent following approval indicating the intern’s participation has officially begun.
Midway Check
The midway check will take place about four to five weeks after the intern starts.
Exit Program
Program completion will be about four to five weeks after the midway check.
“From this internship experience, I valued meeting people and developing connections, finding where I felt like I belonged, and finding a group of people who made me realize I’m supposed to want to come to work every day.”
– Jordan | 2022 Experience Works! PLUS
Available Internships
For students still searching for the perfect internship, check out our list below! If interested in any of the opportunities, please reach out to EWP@westfaywib.org to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Intern
What is included in the program for a student?
Experience Works! PLUS has multiple components to support students throughout their participation:
- Support in connecting with a worksite that alligns with a student’s major/career interests (if applicable)
- Paid wages of at least $16/hour for up to 320 hours
- Professional development opportunities both in-person and virtual formats
Do I have to have an internship lined up to apply?
No. Students can apply with or without an internship lined up.
If a student already has an internship lined up, both student and worksite should submit appropriate documents for review.
If a student does not have an internship lined up, they should submit the appropriate application pieces. EWP staff will work to connect the student with a local employer. It is highly encouraged for the student to continue to search for an opportunity on their own to maximize placement opportunities.
What is the timeline from application to my internship start date?
Timeline will vary depending on the student’s need, especially when requesting support in locating an internship opportunity. Depending on the time of year, processes can be completed anywhere from two weeks to two months.
Students without an internship are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure a worksite match can be found by the desired semester. Semester-specific enrollment dates will be annouced at the top of the webpage.
Can I still utilize the program for wages if my college's internship requirement is less than the programs?
Students are welcome to utilize the Experience Works! PLUS program for an internship that is being completed for college credit; however, if the college requires less hours they EWP, student is still expected to complete the program’s hour requirements and reach the program assigned end date.
Worksite
Why a program fee?
Sustaining the Experience Works! PLUS program is essential to preparing the future workforce by connecting local young adults to paid internships and helping employers develop emerging talent. As funding levels change, maintaining these opportunities requires a shared commitment between the WFWIB and employer partners. Employer cost-sharing reflects a collective investment in workforce development and helps support the long-term sustainability of the program. Together, this shared investment keeps EWP a reliable pathway for young adults and a valuable workforce solution for employers.
What is the process for the program fee?
Participating worksites are required to pay a $1,000 program fee. $1,000 is paid for each intern in the program. Payment is requested after a student/worksite match is confirmed and onboarding is complete.
Program fees are to be paid by check to the Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board. Requests for alternative payment methods may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
If an intern does not complete the program, the full program fee is still required and is non-refundable. The timing of payment does not impact the onboarding process or the ability to secure an intern.
What if we pay wages on top of the $16/hour?
Worksites may choose to pay wages above the program’s $16/hour; however, any additional wages are the responsibility of the worksite and are not reimbursed. The $1,000 program fee still applies. If a worksite elects to place the intern on their own payroll, reimbursement will be provided at $16/hour for up to 320 hours, based on actual hours worked.
Are the businesses on their own to recruit for their internship position or can the program assist with recruitment?
The program can assist with recruitment by posting opportunities, sharing with postsecondary partners, and referring qualified candidates. Worksites are encouraged to recruit independently as well. Final candidate selection is the responsibility of the worksite.
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Previous Experience Works! PLUS Participants:
Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board
145 Pavilion Lane,
Youngwood, PA 15697
724.755.2145 | TTY: 724.925.3243
info@westfaywib.org
Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board is an equal opportunity employer/program.
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For federal funding information, visit westfaywib.org/resources/.