INDIANA, PA — In a move hailed as a significant step toward addressing state government staffing shortages, Pennsylvania Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor celebrated the program’s first graduate, Austin Pastal, from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), through the innovative Intern to Hire initiative. Launched less than two years ago, the program aims to create a direct pipeline for students at Pennsylvania colleges and universities into careers within the state government.
Auditor General DeFoor underscored the practicality of recruiting from the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) to bolster the workforce in state offices. “It’s hard to believe less than a year and half has passed since we first announced our Intern to Hire program and today, we are standing here with our first IUP graduate, Austin Pastal,” DeFoor remarked. He emphasized the crucial role auditors like Pastal play in the department’s efforts to transform and modernize its operations.
Pastal shared his positive experience with the Intern to Hire program, noting the valuable training and meaningful tasks he was assigned from the start. “Going from an intern to full-time employee was streamlined since I had already been working and training with the department,” he said. Pastal’s journey from intern to full-time auditor serves as a testament to the program’s effectiveness in providing students with a seamless transition into their professional careers.
The program’s success is not only a win for the Auditor General’s office but also represents a broader investment in Pennsylvania’s economic growth and workforce development. IUP President Dr. Michael Driscoll highlighted the importance of hands-on learning experiences like internships and externships in preparing students for the workforce. “This program opens doors, broadens horizons and paves the way for success,” Dr. Driscoll stated, expressing gratitude for the collaborative effort that made the Intern to Hire initiative possible.
The Intern to Hire program stands as a model for how public institutions and educational entities can work together to address workforce needs, foster economic development, and ensure the prosperity of communities across the state. By investing in the future workforce, Pennsylvania is laying the groundwork for continued innovation and efficiency within state government operations, ultimately benefiting the state’s residents and the broader economy.
As more students like Pastal complete the Intern to Hire program and enter the workforce, the initiative promises to make significant contributions to solving staffing challenges faced by the state government. This collaborative approach between education and public service underscores a shared commitment to the future, offering a blueprint for other states grappling with similar challenges.
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