In evaluating its internship program, Arizona discovered that there was a significant disconnect between what the State and what the interns viewed as the main goal of the program. Seeing this disparity, Arizona revamped its program to ensure a more meaningful experience which creates better-qualified candidates for future hiring of these young professionals.  Arizona developed a series of soft skills and professionalism training including role-playing the full procurement process. The intern program has helped State Procurement realize savings in three areas: Recruitment, Onboarding, and Conversion Cost. Before the revamp, the state would receive about 40 applications for intern positions and a handful of students at the state’s presentations. Now, Arizona receives over 100 applications to each new position listed and over 40 attendees at presentations.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify and understand the tools and techniques used by Arizona to recruit and train students through an internship program and produce new procurement officials.

2. Adapt and apply some of these tools and techniques to meet their own recruitment needs.

Course Technology Requirements:

• Internet connection
• Support web browsers:
• Recommended: Chrome, Firefox, Safari (latest versions)
• Avoid: Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge
• If prompted, accept all cookies and allow popups
• Access to Procurement U LMS
• Ability to play and listen to audio through computer speakers or headphones