Founded in 1996, the Summer Business Institute represents a collaborative effort beetween the Clark County Community Resources Management Division, Workforce Investment Act (WIA), Southern Nevada Workforce Investment Board, Clark County School District, UNLV and the local business community. The focus of the program is to give youth opportunities to experience a corporate environment from working inside. The Summer Business Institute features an eight-week internship, which includes business mentoring, life skills training, financial management and a civic engagement project.

The program is designed for incoming high school juniors, seniors and college freshmen. Students are required to complete an application and provide a high school transcript. Qualifying students are then interviewed. The program generates hundreds of applications and interest annually. The students benefit from both on-the-job experience and workshops. This year's program application deadline is Friday, March 6.

The workweek is divided into two parts. The first four days of each workweek the students will perform on-the-job training at their job sites, where a supervisor provides them with meaningful projects. On Fridays, the students participate in workshops designed to complement what they learn on the job. The weekly workshops are a critical component, where students gain insight into future career paths, as well as receive information regarding entrepreneurial opportunities. The workshops are designed to focus on Financial Management and Life Skills Training. The curricula were designed by The National Endowment For Financial Education in partnership with Cooperative Extension Systems, America's Credit Union, and UNLV. The workshops are taught by professional instructors complemented by invited guest speakers. As part of giving back to the community, each year the SBI Interns are asked to participate in a civic engagement project. The interns have always taken these projects to a higher level of giving each year.