COLUMBUS — The Ohio Development Services Agency has announced its Ohio Export Internship Program for Ohio businesses looking to export goods or services internationally.

The Ohio Development Services Agency is searching for companies who are interested in expanding their business into international markets. This opportunity matches students from around the state with companies who are either first-time exporters or want to improve their current international marketing initiatives.

“Students gain practical skills to compete in a globally competitive job market,” said David Goodman, director of the Ohio Development Services Agency, “while companies have the opportunity to expand internationally and create jobs.”

This year, there are more than 40 highly motivated students who have been selected to participate in the program. Currently, the students are taking an export-focused course at the Ohio State University and Youngstown State University to help prepare them for the summer internship.

The goal of the program is to help Ohio companies increase their global exports and train students in international business. Companies are provided a 50 percent reimbursement to offset the costs of intern wages.

This program is a partnership with the Fisher College of Business at the Ohio State University and Youngstown State University’s Williams College of Business Administration. In the last four years, the student-company matches generated more than $19 million in expected global sales and 17 full-time job offers.

The deadline for companies to apply is March 15, and the application can be found at eip.development.ohio.gov. The summer internship runs from May 16 through Aug. 12.