City outlines Measure P internship pathway to connect youth, veterans and seniors to public‑sector jobs

Jacob Boren, program manager in the personnel department, presented an early‑stage design for a Measure P internship pathway during the commission’s Dec. 15 meeting. The program is intended to create career pathways into city careers or to develop transferable job skills.

Boren said the initiative will align internships with Measure P categories and with city job classifications in five focus areas: conservation, science, arts and culture, green technology, and parks and recreation. He said internships could be paid or unpaid and may include education‑based placements, direct city placements or partner‑based opportunities with colleges and community organizations.

"Our mission for this program is to build an inclusive workforce pipeline connecting youth, young adults, veterans, and seniors to city careers in the five categories of conservation, science, arts and culture, green technology and parks and recreation," Boren said.

Commissioners asked whether internships would be paid or unpaid, whether educational partners such as Fresno State or Fresno City College could cost‑share stipends, and whether private‑sector partnerships were being considered. Boren and assistant city staff said the program is in development, that the city is pursuing partnerships and cost‑sharing with educational institutions and community organizations, and that the city will pilot placements within city departments before expanding to external partners.

Commissioners and staff discussed equity implications of unpaid internships and recommended prioritizing paid placements or cost‑share models where feasible. Boren said the program is intended to prioritize underserved neighborhoods and to create a pathway that could lead in some cases to permanent city employment.

No formal action was taken; staff said they will continue program development and return with further details and possible implementation timelines.