For the second year in a row, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin are calling on metro Atlanta companies to provide summer internships for this year's class of graduating seniors in Atlanta Public Schools.

The internship project -- which helped place more than 500 students last year at more than 100 organizations in the public and private sectors -- is in partnership with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and ajcjobs.

"We had a great year last year, and I'm calling on the community to step up again this year,” said Mayor Franklin. “My youth program is designed to provide students first-hand assistance in planning for their dreams, whether it's college, technical school, military or the workforce. Internships help keep these dreams alive."

Internships would run from June 4 through July 27. Companies are asked to provide 35-40 hours of work per week and pay $8 to $12 per hour. Companies that cannot host an intern can still become involved by sponsoring an intern at another company.

"Nothing is more important to the future of our region than a well-educated, well-trained workforce," said Tom Hough, Area Managing Partner for Ernst & Young LLP and chair of the Chamber's Atlanta Public Schools Education Committee. "Atlanta companies have an opportunity to directly affect the lives of our students and the prosperity of Atlanta by offering first-rate internships for graduating seniors."

Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Beverly Hall said internships offer students the real-world experience and career connections they need to succeed.

"Atlanta Public Schools has always been able to count on the strong support of the business community,” she added. “Business leaders continue to get engaged in real and tangible ways that make a difference. A good internship can literally change a student's life and encourage them to keep dreaming and keep achieving."

This internship initiative is part of the mayor's youth program, which helps Atlanta Public Schools graduating seniors map out a plan for success after high school. The mayor's youth program is administered out of the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA). AWDA assists students with unmet needs that may hinder their entrance to the training and/or institution of their choice. The Chamber has been involved with public schools for decades through the Atlanta Partners for Education, a joint venture of the Chamber and Atlanta Public Schools.

Companies interested in supplying internships are asked to consider whether their location is conducive to students who rely on public transportation for their commute. The structure of the internship is determined by the hiring company, but should include exposure to an office environment. All eligible students have been pre-screened and accepted to two-or four-year colleges or technical schools this fall.

For more information and/or to register for this program, go to www.ajcjobs.com/nextstepinterns.