Many large companies have had internship programs in place for years, but small businesses may be weighing their options before committing to hiring student interns. If an office consists of only four or five regular workers, employers might wonder how necessary or beneficial a relatively untrained intern can be to the overall success and efficiency of the organization. This is especially true when standard employees must take time away from their daily duties to supervise and direct interns.

Beyond doing a good deed for students trying to break into the professional world, developing an internship program can have direct advantages for employers looking to expand and maximize their business. Here are some of the ways how.

Test drive
When there are limited resources available for employee salaries and benefits, hiring managers at small businesses must ensure that candidates are perfectly suited for entry-level positions before making a final offer. However, even applicants that look great on paper and interview well can turn into office flops. Internships allow organizations to essentially hire new employees on a trial basis without the risk of an expensive, long-term investment. If they intern is a success, employers may consider moving them up to salaried employment. If not, they can try again with a new intern next semester.

Community presence
Unlike national corporations, small businesses depend almost entirely on the local community for their business. Developing an internship program provides a new avenue for employers to tap into their town, city or region and increase their positive community presence. This is especially helpful in college towns where students and college employees make up a significant portion of the population.

Company status
Internship programs are the sign of a growing company. A small business that can afford to hire and manage student interns can be seen by customers and competitors alike as a more successful, efficient and influential organization in the professional world. Interns can also free up regular employees to focus more on expanding the business into new areas.


Reproduced from http://www.experience.com/entry-level-jobs/employers/employer-advantages-of-creating-an-internship-program/