Government Programs and Incentives

State of Ohio Incentive Programs to Work with Students

These programs are subject to qualifications set forth by the State of Ohio. They may have application periods that open and close at various times throughout the year, and may end without notice.

TechCred Reimbursement Program:

Ohio’s TechCred Program gives employers the chance to upskill current and future employees in today’s tech-infused economy. Employers who submit successful applications will be reimbursed up to $2,000 per credential (up to $30,000 per funding round) when current or prospective employees complete eligible technology-focused credentials.

Learn more at: https://techcred.ohio.gov

High School Tech Internship Program:

The High School Tech Internship program is a competitive opportunity for Ohio employers to receive reimbursement for establishing a recruitment pipeline by hosting high school interns in tech-related roles. Educational Entities work closely with business partners to apply for this program.

Learn more at: http://workforce.ohio.gov/initiatives/initiatives/hstechinternshipprogram

Good Jobs Challenge – Workforce Development & Retention Program:

70 high school seniors from the region will be recruited throughout the duration of the program that combines recruiting, career technical training, pre-screening, onboarding and an ongoing support and one-on-one job coaching to allow for these individuals to begin a lifelong career in advanced manufacturing. The program will also support the upskilling of 40 advanced manufacturing employees to grow their knowledge and skills that will strengthen the local advanced manufacturing workforce. All program graduates will receive an industry-recognized credential and guaranteed interviews with local manufacturers.

Learn more at: https://advmfgip.org/good-jobs-challenge-program/

Federal & Ohio Minor Labor Laws Overview

Students are required to obtain Work Based Learning (WBL) hours through employment, job shadowing and/or co-op experiences. Several minor labor law exemptions apply to student-learners and employers participating in a WBL experience related to a valid career- technical education program, approved by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). Students are likely to be 16 or 17 years old. WBL has procedures, policies and guidelines that should be adhered to.

“Minor” refers to individuals under 18 years of age. Student-learners aged 16 or 17, are allowed to work in hazardous or detrimental environments under specific conditions.
Work-Based Learning exemptions apply to student-learners and employers in a bona fide career-technical education program approved by the Ohio Department of Education.
Work in hazardous occupations during training must be incidental, intermittent, and closely supervised with safety instruction provided.
A schedule of work processes and time records must be maintained for student-learners.
Liability insurance is necessary for schools, businesses, agencies, and individuals involved in Work-Based Learning partnerships.
Parental consent is required before placing students at a worksite.

Time restrictions on minor employment are outlined in Ohio Revised Code 4109.07, including rest periods and limits on work hours before and after school. This includes:

No employer shall employ a minor more than 5 consecutive hours without allowing the minor a rest period of at least 30 minutes. The rest period need not be included in the computation of the number of hours worked by the minor.
No person 16 or 17 years of age who is required to attend school under Chapter 3321. of the Revised Code shall be employed:
- Before 7:00 a.m. on any day that school
  is in session, except such person may be
  employed after 6:00 am if the person was not employed after 8:00 pm the previous night.
- After 11:00 p.m. on any night preceding
  a day that school is in session.