Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted has kicked off a new application cycle for the High School Tech Internship program, an initiative designed to forge a direct pathway from the classroom to the tech industry by placing high school students in tech-related internships. According to an announcement from the Lieutenant Governor's office, the program aims to prepare students with hands-on experience and to create a recruitment pipeline for local businesses in Ohio's burgeoning technology sector.
Under this scheme, Ohio employers are encouraged to readily adopt high school interns by reimbursing up to 75 percent of wages paid, capped at $5,000 per intern. "Last year, we had nearly 1,000 high school students participate in this program, giving them a great opportunity to try out a career in their local communities," Husted stated via Governor's Office Mike DeWine, positioning the program as an essential step for students to quickly acquire real-world skills that are indispensable in today's tech workforce.
The internship roles span various fields, such as artificial intelligence, software development, cybersecurity, and broadband technology. This diversity ensures that whatever slice of the tech pie a student's interests lie, there's likely an opportunity to sink their teeth into real-world applications of their burgeoning skills. Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development, highlighted Ohio's commitment to aligning student education with industry requirements, noting that the program "is setting students and businesses up for success."
High School Tech Internship intermediaries have been selected throughout Ohio to streamline the application process and ensure everything runs smoothly between the state and employers. These include organizations like the Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education and the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio. Students and businesses eager to participate should contact the intermediary in their area. To view the intermediary map and find further information, click here.
Stephen D. Dackin, director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, firmly believes in the significance of such initiatives, stating by the Governor's Office Mike DeWine, "Authentic work-based learning is critical for students to build the skills needed to succeed." Dackin articulated the program's impact on a student's career progression, as well as the potential ripple effect this early expertise could have on the strength and advancement of Ohio's workforce. As the tech landscape continues to evolve rapidly, programs like these could well be the critical link in preparing the next generation for a future where technology reigns supreme.
