For questions about this application process, please call SkillsRI at 401-680-5960 and ask for a PrepareRI Recruiter. 

SkillsRI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and program provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. TTY via RI Relay 711. Language access services in your preferred language can be provided at no cost to you. Call (401) 680-5960 for assistance in the translation and understanding of the information in this document. 

The PrepareRI High School Internship Program is a rigorous 7-week work-based learning experience where current Rhode Island public high school juniors, including public charter schools and home school students with identified local LEA, are placed in a paid summer internship during the summer of 2027. We are looking for high school students who are highly motivated to learn, earn, and connect through experiential career learning. Students selected into the program will make $17.00/hour and can earn up to $3,700 for the summer.

For the 2027 PrepareRI High School Internship Program, SkillsRI is planning for a place-based internship where interns will be placed with one of SkillsRI’s 200+ employer partnerships. Our internships are typically in-person, but virtual or hybrid may be required based on the employer’s work model.

To ensure the safety of all students and employer partners, SkillsRI will follow the COVID-19 vaccination requirements of its employer partners. If an employer partner has mandated vaccination requirements, interns interested in said employer will need to be fully vaccinated. 

The PrepareRI High School Internship Program is designed for all students, regardless of ability, learning style, or career interest. 

If you want to learn more about the program before you apply, if you need support completing the application, or if you experience any Technical Difficulties please email us at prepareri@skillsforri.com or call SkillsRI at 401-680-5960 and ask for a PrepareRI Recruiter. 

• Attend a Rhode Island public high school, public charter high school, or home school with an identified local LEA
• Current junior in high school (2026/2027 school year)
• Parental/Guardian consent to participate
• Rhode Island resident
• Minimum of 16 years of age by March 31, 2027
• Complete the online PrepareRI High School Internship Application
• Complete interview with SkillsRI and with the employer(s)
• Attend a 40-hour paid work-readiness bootcamp scheduled for June 21 – June 25, 2027, from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
• Complete a minimum of 150 hours of work over a 6-week period between June 28 - August 6, 2027
• Have a flexible schedule for work during the summer of 2027
• Eligible to work in the United States

Phase 1: Application & Support Services 

November 2, 2026: Application period opens and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Get your application in early.

November 2, 2026 – May 28, 2027: Student coaching is available to assist with all phases of the application process, including completing the application, resume writing, interview preparation, and support with student accommodations. Students can schedule coaching sessions in advance and request additional services by contacting our team at prepareri@skillsforri.com.  

January 13, 2027: Application deadline. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Incomplete or late applications WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED 

January 22, 2027: Students will be notified if they advance to the initial SkillsRI interviews (Phase 2)

Phase 2: Initial SkillsRI Interviews

January 25 – Mar. 12, 2027: Students will interview with SkillsRI to determine if they will advance to Orientation (Phase 3)

March 17, 2027: Deadline for resume submissions. Please use the free resource guide found here to help you create your resumes.

Phase 3:  Orientation 

March 22 – April 16, 2027: Mandatory student-parent/guardian orientation sessions. Notices with dates will be sent to all eligible applicants

March 29 - April 23, 2027: Students will be notified if they advance to Employer Matching & Final Selection (Phase 4). 

Any student who advances to the Employer Matching & Final Selection phase has officially been accepted as a potential candidate to the PrepareRI Internship Program.

Phase 4: Employer Matching & Final Selection

March 29 – June 4, 2027: Students will be matched and interviewed with prospective employers for their internship

June 11, 2027: Students will be notified of their final internship placement with an employer

Phase 5: Student Program Onboarding 

April 5 - June 18, 2027: Students will be required to complete additional employer paperwork

Onboarding paperwork will be done on a rolling basis once matched with an employer  

Phase 6: Work Readiness Bootcamp and Internship Work Experience  

June 21 –June 25, 2027: Mandatory work readiness bootcamp for selected students 

June 28 – August 6, 2027: The 6-week internship with the employer takes place. Students must complete a minimum of 150 hours of work over this period

August 6, 2027: Program Celebration

Application period is open from November 2, 2026, until January 13, 2027, at 11:59 pm. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis; therefore, we strongly encourage you to complete the application as soon as possible. Late applications or incomplete applications will not be accepted.  

You may start and save your application online. To save your application and return to complete it later, you will need to create a log-in account.  We strongly encourage you to write down your log-in account information and save your work along the way. We also ask you to use a personal email address to avoid school-imposed firewalls.

Paper applications will NOT be accepted.  If you need help filling out the application or access to a computer, please contact SkillsRI or your school career coordinator, school guidance counselor, or school principal. 

If you have any trouble saving or submitting your application, please contact SkillsRI at 401-680-5960 or prepareri@skillsforri.com. Applications will only be accepted online through this form.