College Connection Workshop to Help Business Develop Internship Programs; Connect with RI Colleges and Universities

Keynote Speaker and workshop facilitator, Richard Bottner, will address
developing effective internship programs, creating a workforce talent pipeline
and meeting the generational gap.
PROVIDENCE, R.I.--(Business Wire)--
Tech Collective, Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and the Association of
Independent Colleges and Universities (AICU) of Rhode Island are partnering to
present The College Connection workshop on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 from 8:30 am -
3:00 pm at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Junior Ball Room 555-556.

The event`s Keynote Speaker, Richard Bottner, President and CEO of Intern
Bridge, will present on the benefits of hosting interns and how to create and
market an effective internship program within your organization. In his
afternoon address, Richard will speak on key generational gaps with the incoming
"millennial" workforce - a highly anticipated follow up to questions raised at
last year`s College Connection event. Richard will additionally facilitate
roundtable discussions and breakout sessions to connect business with internship
resources, including career representatives from RI colleges and universities.

Human resource managers, internship coordinators and business professionals -
whether with or without an existing internship program - are encouraged to
attend the event. Full-day cost of the College Connection is $45.00, including
breakfast, lunch and a copy of Richard`s book Total Internship Management:
Supervisor`s Handbook.

"The College Connection event is part of a growing initiative within the state
to promote internships and connect RI Businesses and educators with the
resources they need to build effective internship programs," said Kathie
Shields, executive director, Tech Collective. "Last year`s College Connection
event welcomed over 80 business, government and education professionals. Many
left excited about the internship potential and wanting more - and at this
year`s event, we are proud to deliver it! On behalf of all involved in the
fruition of this event, we are excited to welcome Richard to again speak at the
College Connection in an all new program and to encourage local business leaders
to attend, connect with peers and educators and discover how an internship can
truly help foster business vitality."

Additional topics of discussion will include: the legalities of internships,
utilizing student interns to save money on short term projects, making the
business case for internship programming and marketing internships to students
and interviewing potential interns. The College Connection is presented in
conjunction with the Business EXPO 2010. For more information and to register,
visit www.tech-collective.org.

About AICU Rhode Island:

The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Rhode Island is an
alliance representing the eight independent institutions of higher learning
within the State of Rhode Island. Designed to address common interests and
concerns of independent colleges and universities within the state, the
Association serves as the collective and unified voice of its member
institutions. AICU Rhode Island represents its membership on the national level
through the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
(NAICU) and joins 37 state associations nationwide working to strengthen and
address the needs of independent higher education through advocacy and public
policy. For more information about AICU Rhode Island, visit
http://aicuri.org/wordpress.

About Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce:

The mission of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce is to foster the
development of a positive and productive business climate for our community
through economic development, business-to-business relationship building and
effective public policies and government. For more information about the Greater
Providence Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.provchamber.com.

About Tech Collective:

Tech Collective is Rhode Island`s Information Technology and Bioscience Industry
Association. Uniting industry, government and academic stakeholders, our mission
is to inspire, engage, educate and employ a high-skill, high-wage Knowledge
Economy in Rhode Island. Since its transition from the Rhode Island Technology
Council (RITEC) in 2004, Tech Collective has received more than $6M in federal,
state and private grant funding to foster industry collaboration, awareness and
development through events and initiatives including: GRRL Tech, Women in
Technology, Bio-Ed, Tech Laureates` Night and STEM-based education and training
programs for K-16 students as well as incumbent and transitioning workers. For
more information about Tech Collective, please visit www.tech-collective.org.

Tech Collective
Giselle LaFrance, 401-829-8321
Manager of Media Relations
glafrance@tech-collective.org

Copyright Business Wire 2010