WCMA Accepting Internship Applications to Enhance Industry Workforce Pipeline

The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) is now accepting Fall/Winter 2019 applications for the WCMA Internship Exchange.  This program pairs students with WCMA members, including dairy processors, manufacturers, and industry supplier partner, for at least one full semester of hands-on work experience.

“Internships offer young people the opportunity to begin to learn a craft and industry, while they offer employers a much-needed workforce pipeline,” said WCMA Executive Director John Umhoefer.  “As our industry contends with a national labor shortage, early connections to the emerging labor pool are increasingly important.”

The WCMA Internship Exchange will receive applications from students interested in the following career fields: Production, Machine Operation, Maintenance, Packaging, Quality Assurance/Food Safety, Marketing, Accounting, and Human Resources.  WCMA works with the University of Wisconsin System, Wisconsin Technical College System, and high school guidance counselors to promote these opportunities.

WCMA also invites members to indicate interest in hosting interns.  Employers should expect to commit to an intern for a full semester, offer structured and supervised opportunities for learning, and be prepared to complete evaluations on the intern’s efforts for educational credits.

To participate in the WCMA Internship Exchange, visit WisCheeseMakers.org.  For more information, please contact WCMA Communications, Education, and Policy Director Rebekah Sweeney at rsweeney@wischeesemakers.org.