BOSTON – Gov. Deval L. Patrick last week announced that the 2013 Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Internship Program will expand paid internships for college students at Massachusetts-based “clean energy” companies.

Patrick made the announcement at the Global Cleantech Meetup, an annual conference for so-called clean-energy-technology industry professionals at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

Over the past two summers, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Internship Program placed more than 262 students and recent graduates in internships at more than 77 energy companies across the state. As a result of the internship program, 38 students gained full-time and part-time employment.

The expanded program, which will begin taking applications on Nov. 1, will include 10-week internship sessions in the fall and spring, as well as traditional the 10-week summer program.

As in past years, MassCEC will provide Massachusetts-based energy companies with stipends of up to $12 per hour for up to 10 weeks for each intern. The summer session will continue to provide for full-time internships, with a cap of $4,800 per intern, while the spring and fall sessions will provide for part-time internships, with a cap of $2,400 per intern.

According to a news release from the governor’s office, clean-energy employment in Massachusetts grew by 11.2 percent from July 2011 to July 2012. The sector now employs more than 71,000 people throughout Massachusetts. •