Statehouse

February is National Career and Technical Education Month ® and Ohio Hi-Point Career Center is celebrating the work the district’s students and staff do each and every day.

Career education directly prepares students for high-wage, high-demand careers, and covers many different fields, including health care, information technology, manufacturing, hospitality, and many more.

Students attending OHP’s Main Campus or enrolled in one of the district’s satellite programs can earn industry certifications and college credits for free while gaining a significant jump start on their futures.

Part of the experience of attending Ohio Hi-Point is the opportunity for our students to participate in the Work-Based Learning Program, a program for high-achieving students with good grades and attendance to work during the school day in their chosen career field. Ohio Hi-Point partners with local businesses and industries to provide placements for students. On average, OHP has over 100 students participating in the program. Many of these placements lead to full-time employment after graduation.

To continue to champion career education and build additional opportunities, members of Ohio Hi-Point’s leadership team spent some time at the Ohio Statehouse on February 9 during the Ohio ACTE Legislative Conference. Members of the team spoke to representatives and senators about the importance of career education and the recently passed Senate Bill (SB) 166, which provides incentives to businesses serving as Work-Based Learning placements for students.

Under SB 166, employers participating in the Work-Based Learning program can offer WBL positions to students under 18 and will not be penalized under the Ohio’s Minor Labor Law or the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Businesses may also receive a tax credit. The tax credit goes up to $5,000 per student, per year. In addition, businesses may be exempt from workers’ compensation claims if the claim is based on a student’s injury.  

Work-Based Learning placements and experiences are vital to economic and community growth. Ohio Hi-Point is proud to partner with business and industry leaders to continue to grow and provide real-world experiences and credentialing opportunities for students.