After completing JVS training programs, participants need real-world experience and professional connections to launch successful careers. That’s where employer partners come in–businesses that provide JVS graduates with hands-on internships, bridging the gap between our training programs and full-time employment. These partnerships not only help interns, but also give employers access to a pre-vetted, highly motivated talent pool to meet their staffing needs.
One such employer partner is Salesian Academy, which has been working with JVS since 2022 to hire IT Support interns for up to six months after they complete their training. In just over three years, more than 25 JVS alums have passed through Salesian Academy’s internship program, developing essential skills and making valuable industry connections.
Building Confidence Through Hands-On Experience
For Thomas Boles, Owner and Director at Salesian Academy, the key benefit of these internships lies in practical, on-the-job learning.
“They go through the classroom training and learn the theory, and then we practice those same things and use them within our daily business,” Boles explains. “They interact with clients and handle real projects, while practicing their skills. We give them as much responsibility as they can take on, and we help build their confidence from there.”
Unlike traditional hiring processes, where companies sift through a wide pool of applicants, JVS programs ensure that interns have been pre-vetted, trained, and are eager to contribute from day one.
“The biggest reason why we started our internship program is that I don’t want someone coming in who’s been trained the wrong way,” Boles says. “With JVS, we get folks who want to be there, who have already had some life experience. They’ve already proven they can complete the program. Then we get to train them in the way tech should be done.”
A Steppingstone to Career Longevity
JVS alum Karynne completed a six-month internship with Salesian Academy in 2024 and is eager to continue building her tech career. “I learned a lot and created a network of people at Salesian Academy,” Karynne says. “I’ve always liked tech and wanted to get into a tech career, and now I’m continuing to learn new things.”
Many JVS alums who have complete internships with Salesian Academy have gone on to take their next career steps with major California employers, including Airbnb, Kaiser Permanente, the City and County of San Francisco, and UCSF, among others.
JVS Interns Benefit Employers
Boles hopes more Bay Area tech employers will see the benefits of partnering with JVS, not just as a cost-effective hiring solution, but to build a stronger workforce. “You can’t just look at this as like a low-cost alternative to hiring one person; you’re going to have a forever pipeline,” Boles emphasizes. “If you work with JVS, you know they’ve been vetted, so you’re already getting a quality candidate. The hiring process can’t get any easier for you than this.”
Employer partners like Salesian Academy are vital to our work that provides opportunities to build economic mobility for California jobseekers and their families. Visit our employer partners page to learn more about how your business can hire JVS alums, or email employers@jvs.org if you’re ready to develop a custom training program for your needs.
