Cultivating Talent: Work-Based Learning through Ohio Hi-Point Career Center
For local businesses seeking to build a strong talent pipeline, reduce hiring costs, and gain extra hands for immediate projects, partnering with Ohio Hi-Point Career Center (OHP) through its Work-Based Learning (WBL) program is an essential strategy.
OHP’s WBL program is a collaborative effort that connects career-ready high school students—who are already receiving specialized training in fields like engineering, health sciences, construction, and manufacturing—with real-world workplace experiences.
Work-Based Learning: A Win-Win Partnership
Participating as a WBL placement site offers significant, tangible benefits for your business:
✅ Benefits for Your Company
- Develop a Skilled Workforce: You have the opportunity to train and mentor students in your company’s specific, in-demand skills and processes. This allows you to cultivate future employees before they graduate.
- Reduce Hiring & Training Costs: WBL serves as an extended interview. You identify and cultivate future employees, which dramatically reduces the costs associated with recruitment, onboarding, and external training.
- Improve Productivity: Interns and apprentices can assist with entry-level or specialized tasks, allowing your full-time staff to focus on higher-level strategic responsibilities.
- Increase Brand Visibility: By hosting students, your business is positioned as a community leader, an investor in local education, and an employer of choice for future talent.
- Tax Incentives and Labor Law Relief: Under Ohio's SB 166, employers participating in WBL programs may be eligible for a tax credit (up to $5,000 per student, per year). Furthermore, the law provides relief from certain Minor Labor Law restrictions for WBL positions held by students under 18.
Work-Based Learning Placements
OHP coordinates various levels of WBL engagement, allowing you to choose the commitment that best suits your business needs:
| Placement Type | Description | Key Focus |
| Job Shadow | A short, observational experience (usually one day) where a student follows an employee to understand daily tasks. | Career Exploration |
| Internship | A structured, long-term experience (paid or unpaid) where students apply classroom skills to specific business projects. | Skill Application & Experience |
| Pre-Apprenticeship | A formal, structured training program that prepares students for registered apprenticeship and can include industry-recognized credentials. | Mastery of In-Demand Skills |
| Apprenticeship | A long-term, paid opportunity that combines on-the-job training with technical instruction, leading to a recognized credential. | Career Pathway & Credential |
Over 400 OHP students engage in meaningful career placements each year, often leading directly to employment after graduation.
How to Partner with Ohio Hi-Point
Getting involved is straightforward. OHP's Work-Based Learning Coordinators help guide the process:
- Contact OHP: Reach out to the WBL Coordinator to discuss your company’s needs and the potential placements available in your sector (e.g., Health Careers, Engineering, Construction, etc.).
- Establish Agreement: Complete a Business Agreement and a Training Agreement specific to the student placement.
- Provide Documentation: For paid internships, provide a current copy of your workers' compensation policy.
- Mentor the Student: OHP provides guidance and documentation to help you create an engaging and successful experience for the student.
By partnering with Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, you invest directly in the career readiness of local students and ensure a steady, skilled pipeline for your company’s growth.