Overview of Ohio CTE Internship Programs in High Schools
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) oversees Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in high schools, aligned with 16 national career clusters to prepare students for postsecondary education, industry-recognized credentials (IRCs), or direct workforce entry. These programs integrate academics with hands-on technical skills, emphasizing work-based learning (WBL) as a required capstone for pathway completion under Ohio’s Quality Program Standards (QPS) for CTE. The Construction Technologies career field (CIP Code: 46.0000) focuses on designing, planning, managing, building, and maintaining structures, with pathways in areas like building and industrial maintenance, carpentry, electrical trades, HVAC, plumbing, and masonry. To complete a pathway and earn a CTE concentration (e.g., on the transcript, contributing to the Career Connections Measure), students must:
- Complete a sequence of at least three CTE courses (introductory, technical, application levels, totaling 3 credits).
- Earn an IRC (e.g., OSHA 10, NCCER Level 1) or complete structured WBL (e.g., 250+ hours for “sustained” status).
- Participate in WBL, such as internships, apprenticeships, or cooperative education, per ODEW’s WBL guidelines and Perkins V State Plan (2024-2028).
WBL is coordinated locally by districts, Career-Technical Planning Districts (CTPDs), and Joint Vocational School Districts (JVSDs), funded via Perkins V grants (~$20M annually), Innovative Workforce Incentive Program (IWIP) bonuses ($300M in FY2024-25 for high-priority programs like construction), and employer tax credits (up to $5,000 per student). Available to juniors/seniors (age 16+), it prioritizes paid placements (min. $12/hour for reimbursements) aligned to high-demand trades. Ohio’s construction sector projects 9% growth through 2030, with entry wages ~$50,000+ amid shortages; in 2022-23, ~136,000 students participated in CTE, with 44,000 concentrators and 12,500+ accumulating 250+ WBL hours.
Key Internship Program: Work-Based Learning (WBL) in Construction Technologies
ODEW’s primary internship mechanism is WBL, a capstone integrated into approved pathways under the 2025-26 CTE Course Descriptions. For Construction, it involves supervised placements applying skills like blueprint reading, site safety, and trades at firms/sites, often leading to pre-apprenticeship hours or dual credits with community colleges. WBL requires a training agreement, instructor/employer supervision, and evaluations; it counts toward concentration status if sustained (250+ hours) and aligns with CTSOs like SkillsUSA. The Employer Tax Credit incentivizes businesses for paid internships in high-priority fields like construction.
| Program/Course Name | Credits | Level/Grade | Description | Eligibility/Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work-Based Learning Internship in Construction (Course #499999, Capstone) | 1-2 (full-year) | Application/Capstone (Juniors/Seniors) | Supervised paid/unpaid placement (10-20 hours/week, min. 250 hours for sustained) at construction sites/firms, focusing on carpentry, HVAC, or electrical trades. Includes mentor supervision, reflective assessments, employer evaluations, and portfolio development; leads to OSHA 10/NCCER credentials. Integrates SkillsUSA competitions and IWIP bonuses. | Age 16+; 2+ pathway credits; teacher/coordinator recommendation; training agreement. Parent consent; quarterly site visits. Paid options via tax credit ($12+/hour, employer reimbursement up to $5,000). |
| Cooperative Education (Co-op) in Building Trades (Course #499998) | 1-2 | Capstone (Seniors) | Year-long paid work-study (15+ hours/week) combining RTI with on-site trades like plumbing/masonry; culminates in capstone project and IRC. Offered in JVSDs/CTPDs. | Senior status; pathway enrollment; ILP alignment; employer match. WBL coordinator required; hazardous work waiver for 16+. Paid at minimum wage+. |
| Pre-Apprenticeship Internship (State-Supported via Perkins) | Variable (School-Year/Summer) | Advanced (Juniors/Seniors) | Structured placement (200+ hours) with DOL-registered contractors, emphasizing sustainable construction; includes job shadowing and credentials. Targets underrepresented students via CTPDs. | Age 16+; pathway interest; application via school coordinator. Aligns with ODEW WBL continuum; leads to journeyman path. Paid; funded by Perkins V. |
These integrate into the Construction pathway sequence (per 2025-26 ODEW frameworks):
- Introductory: Construction Concepts (1 cr.), OSHA 10 Safety (0.5 cr.).
- Technical (Construction Focus): Carpentry I (1 cr.), Electrical Trades I (1 cr.), HVAC Systems (1 cr.), Plumbing Principles (1 cr.).
- Application (WBL Capstone): Advanced Construction Technologies with Internship (1 cr.), leading to NCCER or AWS credentials.
District and Program Examples
ODEW approves CTE pathways in ~700 high schools and 50 JVSDs/CTPDs, with Construction Technologies offered in ~300 sites via hands-on labs. Partnerships with Ohio Technical Centers (OTCs), community colleges, and ABC Ohio enhance WBL. Examples:
- Columbus City Schools (e.g., Fort Hayes Career Center): Building and industrial maintenance pathway with paid co-ops at local firms; serves urban students with NCCER training; 90%+ completers earn IRCs and enter apprenticeships.
- Cincinnati Public Schools (e.g., Hughes STEM High): Construction management POS with internships via CTPD partnerships; dual credits with OTCs; high WBL placement (85%+ workforce/college transition).
- Canton City Schools (e.g., R.G. Drage Career Center): Carpentry/electrical focus with summer pre-apprenticeships; employer tax credits fund placements; emphasizes rural/industrial trades.
- Dayton Area (e.g., Miami Valley CTC): HVAC/plumbing pathways with sustained WBL; Perkins-funded for equity; 12,500+ statewide hours logged annually.
- Toledo Public Schools (e.g., Toledo Technology Academy): Masonry/construction tech with co-ops; aligns with SkillsUSA for competitions and employer matching.
For a full list, see the 2025-26 CTE Course Descriptions or Career Fields Directory.
Additional Opportunities and Resources
- IWIP Bonuses: Extra funding for construction IRCs (e.g., $1,000+ per student); prioritizes high-demand pathways.
- Employer Tax Credit: Up to $5,000 for businesses hosting WBL; expanded in FY2025 for construction.
- Certifications: OSHA 10, NCCER; funded via Perkins V and integrated into WBL.
- How to Apply: Contact school CTE coordinator or CTPD; WBL apps via district (fall deadlines). Use OhioMeansJobs K-12 for planning; working papers required for minors.
- Outcomes: CTE concentrators graduate at 95%+ rates; construction pathways yield 85%+ postsecondary/workforce placement, with WBL boosting employability by 25%.
For details, visit ODEW CTE Page or email careerconnections@education.ohio.gov. Ohio’s infrastructure investments demand 15,000+ construction workers annually.