Our field's next generation

If you haven't read the Editor's note of the Nov. 2010 issue of MSDN magazine entitled "Proactive Eduction" and you're in the software development career field, then I would encourage you to do so.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/gg309186.aspx

The article really got me thinking about the benefit for any organization of substantive size to have an internship program.  Such a program would target high school students interested in programming and college students majoring in computer science or related field.  It could be paid, un-paid, or both.  IT groups would need to work with their HR department on the details. 

I could see such a program having the following benefits:
1) It could breed qualified candidates for junior programmer new hires upon graduation. 
2) Those professionals that are more seasoned would gain teaching and mentoring skills.
3) The cost of labor performed by interns would be low and financially advantageous to departments.
4) "Giving back" would provide good marketing and publicity for the organization.

I'm sure there are disadvantages to having such a program, but I just can't think of anything that's even worth noting.  Just my 2 cents.