Interns may be a more attractive strategy than ever this year, as most companies are running as lean as possible with their regular staffing levels.

To ensure your business and the interns on board benefit, steer clear of these intern user-errors:

Mistake #1: Companies relegate them to “go-fer” status

Sure, those filing cabinets do need to be thinned out. But that’s not the only type of work you want to tap interns for. These folks have skills: accounting, technology, etc. Encourage managers to do a little digging in the screening process so they’ll know the strengths to make the most of.

Mistake #2: Companies don’t give them the tools they need

Many times interns barely get a spot to work, much less a PC, phone extension, etc. Sends the wrong message. The same goes for training – a little orientation can go a long way towards setting this person up for success.

Mistake #3: Companies view the arrangement as short-term

Granted the college kid you hire for two months may not retire with the gold watch after 50 years with you. But it could evolve into a longer stay down the road if the fit is right.

Compliance caution

Beware: The Department of Labor has announced it’s on the warpath for companies whose unpaid internships violate wage and hour laws. And the agency thinks most do. So tread carefully. For more on the DOL and its internship rules, go here.

Make sure your finance staff is depositing employee contributions as soon as your company either receives or withholds them. The Department of Labor (DOL) just slashed the amount of time smaller businesses have to deposit that money.

Employers with plans with fewer than 100 participants will now have just seven business days to get that money in under the safe harbor period. That’s compared to the 15 days your business used to get for the task.

It seems that even with more than two weeks, many companies couldn’t make the deadline. A full 90% of plans were considered out of compliance, says DOL.

No time like the present to comply!

No choice, either. The final rule was effective the date it was published in the Federal Register: Jan. 14.

The Department of Labor has put together new model notices for the program, which extends employee eligibility for the 65% premium subsidy until Feb. 28. The assistance period’s also been extended, from nine months to 15.

For information on the new notice requirements, go here.

The projections, based largely on statistics from a national study conducted by the Monthly Labor Review in 2007, predict these 10 industries will offer the most potential in terms of jobs and salary over the next six years (also listed is the estimated annual rate of expansion):

1. Management and technical consulting services: 5.9%
2. Individual and family services: 5.7%
3. Home health care services: 4.5%
4. Securities, commodities & financial investments: 3.9%
5. Facility sevices: 3.8%
6. Residential care: 3.3%
7. Independent artists, writers, and performers: 3.3%
8. Computer systems design: 3.3%
9. Museum and historical sites: 3.1%
10. Day care services: 2.9%

It may be worth considering how you can tap into these markets or target prospects in related industries. Meanwhile, here are the 10 industries that are experiencing the most rapid decline:

1. Sewing manufacturing: -8.7%
2. Footwear manufacturing: -7.3%
3. Federal enterprises (except the USPS): -5.2%
4. Knitting apparel factories: -5.1%
5. Textile and fabrics mills: -5.0%
6. Leather and hide manufacturing: -4.9%
7. Apparel manufacturing : -4.1%
8. Tobacco manufacturing: -4.0%
9. Computer manufacturing: -4.0%
10. Iron and steel manufacturing: -3.9

The message is clear: As automated processes (and cheaper foreign labor) make it easier for companies to cut down on manpower, a lot of traditional American manufacturers are on the decline. Now may be the time to determine how your organization can adjust to those changes, and maintain (or increase) its market share.

Click here for the U.S. Department of Labor’s full list of “Industries with the fastest growing and most rapidly declining salary employment”