Kiewit Building Group Inc. said it is expanding its internship program this year to include 12 interns from universities across the country, including in Honolulu.

The company's internship program had five interns in 2006 and eight in 2007.

"Our interns are given an amazing opportunity to be mentored by some of Hawai'i's most talented construction professionals," said Lance Wilhelm, senior vice president of Kiewit Building Group. "We want to give them the best opportunity possible during their education, and, in turn, we are able to evaluate prospective employees."

The internship program offers students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while they work to complete their degrees. Internships are offered in civil engineering, construction management, construction engineering, mechanical engineering and business management.