Peachtree City touts pilot paid internship cohort after Georgia City Solutions recognition

Dr. Tia Austin Bing, director of human resources for Peachtree City, summarized the city’s first paid cohort internship program and said it drew praise from participating departments and outside recognition.

The program "provided these young professionals practical work experience" and created a "unique and diverse candidate pool" that can feed local government and private-sector jobs, Dr. Bing said. Departments that hosted interns reported the cohort was "very professional" and "dedicated," and the interns delivered a final presentation to the mayor and city council, she said.

Peachtree City’s human resources director said the pilot was the city’s first paid internship cohort; the city had previously hosted interns in smaller numbers. "We were recognized by Georgia City Solutions for our efforts in youth professional development. And we were nominated for an award in that category," Dr. Bing said, thanking the Georgia Municipal Association and Georgia City Solutions for the spotlight.

Dr. Bing framed the program as both workforce development and community service: interns gain resume-building experience and professional networks, while the city benefits from an expanded talent pipeline. She said departments reported the internship structure "worked well" and that the cohort’s cohesion helped produce a strong final product for the mayor and council.

She urged other employers and government entities to consider similar programs so "you are pouring into these young individuals and helping them start their path," adding that the program could serve as a roadmap for other organizations. The transcript did not specify the number of interns, total stipend or payroll cost, or funding sources for the paid cohort.

No formal motions or votes on the internship program were recorded in the transcript excerpt.