Presentation to National Association of Development

Organization (NADO) on Backpacks to Briefcases

B2B Program Design

• Available to unemployed or underemployed two-year and

four-year college graduates who graduated in December 2016

or earlier

• Interns must be a resident of Buncombe, Henderson, Madison,

or Transylvania Counties

• AB Tech and Blue Ridge Community College will serve as the

“employer of record”

Overwhelming response from

employers

• Over 40 businesses and organizations in

all four counties (and one out of the

region) are participating

• Over 60 internship opportunities

What organizational structure is your business?

Answered: 47 Skipped: 0

In what department(s) is your organization interested in

hosting a Backpacks to Briefcases intern?

Answered: 47 Skipped: 0

95.24% say “yes” or “maybe” they would hire the intern if the

internship goes well.

If the internship(s) goes well, would you consider hiring the intern(s)?Answered: 42 Skipped: 5

• 40 college graduates applied for B2B, 20 matches made

• Colleges and universities represented included AB Tech, Blue Ridge Community College, UNC Asheville, Western Carolina University, Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, Southern Adventist University, Gulf State College, UNC Greensboro, and Wheaton College

• Soft skills class designed by AB Tech and Blue Ridge Community College offered at WCU Biltmore Park

• Partnership with Talent Jam College Edition

• B2B networking event and Talent Jam College Edition at Highland Brewery on April 18

• Each internship cost about $5,000

• 12 weeks x 32 hours per week x $12 per

hour = $4,608

• FICA and worker’s compensation

• Maximum of 384 hours

As of now, seven B2B

interns have been hired for

full-time positions and

more hires are in the

pipeline . . .

Questions?