The University of Texas at El Paso’s Mike Loya Center for Innovation and Commerce and Workforce Solutions Borderplex have been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Texas Workforce Commission to expand student access to competitive internships, according to a March 19 announcement.
The initiative aims to help students gain practical experience that prepares them for careers after graduation. The program is designed to strengthen the regional talent pipeline and support economic mobility for students in the Borderplex region.
Through this grant, student interns will earn $20 per hour. The funding provides a $10 per hour match from the Texas Workforce Commission, combined with a $10 per hour contribution from employers. This structure ensures that students are compensated while receiving high-impact training and development opportunities.
Ahmad Itani, Ph.D., vice president for research and innovation at UTEP, said, “At UTEP, we are committed to not only providing a world class education but also ensuring our students are the primary architects of the region’s economic future. This partnership with Workforce Solutions Borderplex allows us to translate classroom theory into industrial practice. By eliminating barriers for local employers to host interns, we are keeping our brightest talent right here in the Borderplex, fueled by the innovation and research excellence that defines our university.”
The program will run three internship cycles over 15 months and is expected to involve about 50 interns and 15 employer partners. Internships will focus on industries aligned with Texas targeted industry clusters such as business, engineering, health sciences, information technology, advanced manufacturing, and logistics.
Nicole Aguilar, Ed.D., director of the Mike Loya Center for Innovation and Commerce at UTEP said, “Innovation thrives when diverse perspectives meet real world challenges. Through the Texas Internship Initiative, UTEP students have a front row seat to the industries shaping our region.”
Leila Melendez, CEO of Workforce Solutions Borderplex said, “This initiative is about helping students bridge the gap between education and employment. Often students complete their degrees with strong academic preparation but still need real-world experience to enter their field. Paid internships create opportunities for students to build practical skills, contribute to employers, and begin establishing their professional careers while still in school.”
The collaboration seeks to bridge higher education with regional economic development by leveraging WSB’s employer network alongside UTEP’s focus on innovation.
