Discover What Manufacturing Can Be — Right Here in the Valley
Forget the outdated stereotypes. Today’s manufacturing blends hands-on skill with high-tech robotics, precision work, smart logistics, and digital design and prototyping.
Find paid summer internships built specifically for Central Valley students.
Manufacturing in the Valley
Hands-on skills. High-tech careers.
Start here
Why internships?
Internships help you explore careers, build experience, and meet local employers.
Explore
Explore areas of interest before committing to a career path.
Experience
See if a job fits your expectations and daily lifestyle.
Learn
Learn how a manufacturing workplace functions and what kind of daily work takes place.
Connect
Build connections with local employers actively investing in youth.
Real experience
See what the work is really like.
Path 01
For 17-19 Year Olds
Start with summer internships, work experience, and career-connected programs.
| Program / Employer | Focus | Duration | Pay / Additional Benefits | Apply / Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gallo Cultivate Internship | Interests are gathered and matched to opportunities | 10 weeks in the summer (apply prior to summer) | Paid + tuition reimbursement | Speak to your career counselor or email cultivate@ejgallo.com |
| Gallo Manufacturing Internship Program | Manufacturing operations and supply chain | Spring Semester (gateway program starts Jan/Feb) | Paid | Connect with your Career Navigator at your high school. Complete afterschool program to be eligible. Apply at gallocareers.com |
| Prospero Merced County | Work Experience (WEX): Work Experience provides participants with short-term, paid, hands-on experience at your worksite to build job skills, at no cost to your business. Work Experiences typically last 150 to 250 hours, allowing employers to evaluate potential employees while helping participants gain valuable workplace experience. Minimum age 16; eligibility may vary depending on available funding. | Typically 150 to 250 hours | Paid | Call (209) 724-2100. Apply early in the funding cycle (July 1 – June 30). |
| San Joaquin A+ | Students enrolled in Agriculture, Engineering, and Manufacturing Pathways at: Modesto Junior College, Beyer High School, Downey High School, Turlock High School, Pitman High School, Ceres High School, Patterson High School | 6 weeks in the summer (apply in February) | Paid | Connect with your CTE teacher, counselor, or career navigator. You must complete our workshop series to be eligible to apply. Email careers@sjaplus.org with additional questions. |
| Stanislaus Workforce Development | In-School Youth enrolled before graduation | Starting in June for the summer | Paid | Applications open Feb/March. stanworkforce.com/youth |
Path 02
For Recent High School Graduates
Keep building experience while you explore your next step.
| Program / Employer | Focus | Duration | Pay / Additional Benefits | Apply / Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prospero Merced County | Work Experience (WEX): Work Experience provides participants with short-term, paid, hands-on experience at your worksite to build job skills, at no cost to your business. Work Experiences typically last 150 to 250 hours, allowing employers to evaluate potential employees while helping participants gain valuable workplace experience. Minimum age 16; eligibility may vary depending on available funding. | Typically 150 to 250 hours | Paid | Call (209) 724-2100. Apply early in the funding cycle (July 1 – June 30). |
| Digital Nest | Marketing and Advertising | [Check for openings — typically opens March] | Paid | www.digitalnest.org |
| Empower Program — MCOE / Prospero Merced | 16-21 out-of-school youth facing barriers to employment | Up to 200 hours | Paid | Ongoing. mcoe.org/empower |
| Fastenal | Warehouse / Supply Chain | 10 weeks (open for 2 weeks only) | Paid; potential full-time hire after | Apply at fastenal.com using the district manager’s custom link |
| Fastenal | Fulfillment Specialist (part-time) | Part-time and can be ongoing; new hires are evaluated during the first 10 weeks (application window open 2 weeks only) | Paid | Apply at fastenal.com using the district manager’s custom link. Driver’s license required; no additional experience required. |
| Merced Irrigation District | Engineering, Water, Park Aide | Summer / year-round | Paid | Ongoing. mercedid.org |
| Morning Star Packing Company | Industrial Maintenance and Engineering | June – Late October (Tomato Processing Season) | Paid | Open Feb–June. Send resume to Joe Bauer at jbauer@morningstarco.com . Must be 18+. |
| Tesla Manufacturing Development Program (MDP) | Manufacturing for recent grads without prior experience | 1 semester — 16 weeks at San Joaquin Delta College | Paid + possible free classes | Ongoing. Search Tesla careers or contact Andrew Treydte at atreydte@tesla.com |
| Turlock Irrigation District | Engineering, IT, Water Operations, Accounting, Communications, GIS | Summer | Paid | Apply Jan–March at governmentjobs.com/turlockid |
Technology + opportunity
Manufacturing is more than machines.
Path 03
For College Students
Build practical experience alongside your education.
| Program / Employer | Focus | Duration | Pay / Additional Benefits | Apply / Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prospero Merced County | Work Experience (WEX): Work Experience provides participants with short-term, paid, hands-on experience at your worksite to build job skills, at no cost to your business. Work Experiences typically last 150 to 250 hours, allowing employers to evaluate potential employees while helping participants gain valuable workplace experience. Minimum age 16; eligibility may vary depending on available funding. | Typically 150 to 250 hours | Paid | Call (209) 724-2100. Apply early in the funding cycle (July 1 – June 30). |
| Hetch Hetchy Water and Power — Moccasin, CA | Water, Energy, Electronics | 1,040 hours total (part-time during school year, full-time summer — flexible) | Paid | Ongoing until filled. Go to careers.sf.gov , search keyword “Moccasin” for Public Service Aide — SFPUC Internship. Students can also contact hhwpjobs@sfwater.org for more information. |
| MJC School of Ag ~ Beckwith | 2 positions Agriculture Crop Science | Fall/Spring: one year (apply Jan–Apr). Summer: May–Aug (apply Feb–Mar). | Hours of work in exchange for housing and utilities paid | Contact MJC School of Agriculture |
| MJC School of Ag | 26 positions over 7 Livestock units, Ag Mech, Nursery, Ag Office, West Tech | Fall/Spring: one year (apply Jan–Apr). Summer: May–Aug (apply Feb–Mar). | Hours of work in exchange for housing and utilities paid | Minimum 12 hrs/week required. mjc.edu/ag/jobs.html |
| San Joaquin Delta College Manteca Farm Internship | Small ruminant experience; care and maintenance of livestock; tractor work, irrigation | August–June (apply Aug 15–31) | Free housing or paid option | House holds up to 3 live-in interns. Must complete 12 hrs/week, maintain 2.5 GPA, and be an agriculture major. |
| Stanislaus Workforce Development | In-School Youth enrolled before graduation | Starting in June for the summer | Paid | Applications open Feb/March. stanworkforce.com/youth |
Earn while you learn
Learn from people already doing the work.
Another pathway
Why apprenticeships?
Combine paid work, structured learning, and industry experience.
Work + school
Full-time work from day one while taking relevant classes — with possible free classes.
Industry skills
Classroom instruction and employer work together to make sure you learn industry-specific skills.
Local partners
Employers can start new apprenticeships easily with community college partners when classes are available.
Path 04
Apprenticeships
Earn while you learn through employer and college partnerships.
| Program / Employer | Focus | Duration | Pay / Additional Benefits | Apply / Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced College | Cybersecurity and IT Support Technician | Ongoing | Employer-paid training + college classes (online or in-person) | Contact Autumn Gardia at autumn.gardia@mccd.edu |
| Modesto Junior College | Production Technician — Employee Initiated | Ongoing | Employer-paid training + MJC classes | Contact Berlina Napoleon at napoleonb@yosemite.edu |
| San Joaquin Delta College | Mechatronics Apprenticeship Program; Quality Control Technician | Ongoing | Employer-paid training + classroom instruction | Contact Lolita Mondragon at lolita.mondragon@deltacollege.edu |
| Stanislaus County Area Manufacturing and Maintenance Joint Apprenticeship Committee | Electrician Maintenance, Electro-Mechanic, Machinist, Packaging Technician, Maintenance Machinist, Calibration, Instrumentation Technician | Ongoing | Employer-paid training + classroom instruction | mjc.edu/it/apprenticeships.html |