Maryland State Agency Begins Six-Student Paid Trade Internship Pilot

Baltimore and Carroll County high school students will receive paid work experience in the skilled trades starting now.

The Maryland Department of General Services is launching a pilot internship program that places six students in technical roles. Three participants come from Carver Vocational-Technical High School in Baltimore, while the other three attend the Carroll County Career and Technology Center.

Interns will work directly alongside agency mentors. Their duties cover specific fields including construction management, engineering, design, HVAC maintenance, and capital planning. The program includes on-site work in both the Baltimore region and Carroll County. Participants also receive assistance with resume building and access to professional networking opportunities.

State officials stated that the initiative aims to create a career pathway for students interested in trades. The agency also seeks to build a workforce capable of supporting Maryland's upcoming infrastructure projects. The paid structure allows students to gain practical skills without the financial burden of unpaid apprenticeships.

The pilot is limited to this initial group of six. State leaders plan to review feedback from both students and their mentors before making changes. The agency intends to use these insights to adjust the program structure. If the pilot proves effective, the state expects to expand the internship to more students in the coming years.

The program launches this week. Students begin their rotations immediately. The Department of General Services will monitor the workload distribution between the Baltimore and Carroll County sites. No additional funding figures were released with the announcement.