High School Tech Internship

Technology Internships for High School Students in Northeast Ohio

Students, fill out the Interest Form for 2026 High School Tech Internships

The High School Tech Internship Program offers paid internship experiences to Ohio high school students interested in technology.

The goal of the program is to provide businesses with the tech talent they need while also providing students with valuable work experiences at an early age.

Program Overview

Youth Opportunities Unlimited has been named the Intermediary to operate the High School Tech Internship program in the following Counties:

*Ashland, Ashtabula, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Wayne*

The High School Tech Internship program is a statewide initiative by the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation that reimburses Ohio employers for hosting high school interns in technology-focused roles. Interns will be expected to perform job duties similar to an entry-level employee.

For Students

• Interns must be currently enrolled in 9th–12th grade. Students graduating in the Spring of 2026 are eligible to participate.
• Interns must be 19 years old or younger on the start date of their internship
• Interns will be making minimally $12/hr at their internship, working at least 120 hours over the summer
• Interns can expect to perform entry-level roles in the following fields:

• Software development
• Data, cloud and IT infrastructure
• Cybersecurity
• Broadband/5G
• Advanced mobility
• Other in-demand technology-focused roles

For Employers

Eligible Employers

• Private Businesses in Ohio
• Non-Profit Entities in Ohio
• Educational Entities in Ohio

• (District, Career-Technical Planning District, Educational Service Center, Higher Education Institutions) in Ohio
• Local and County Governments in Ohio

Information an Employer Should Know

• Employers will hire and pay potential interns for the duration of the assigned internship.
• Employers will develop a job description for each unique intern position and will work with Y.O.U. to have that description approved by the State of Ohio. These positions should be entry level roles in the following technology fields:

software development

data, cloud and IT infrastructure

cybersecurity

broadband/5G

advanced mobility

other in-demand technology-focused roles

• Employers will work with Y.O.U. to create a work-based learning agreement for each intern, which should include the work schedule for the student.
• To qualify for wage reimbursement:

• Interns must be paid at least $12 per hour for at least 120 hours
• Interns must be W2 Employees - paid hourly wages – not stipends
• Reimbursement is for Intern Wages only – not the associated fringe expenses (taxes or other employee expenses)
• Reimbursement is based on actual hours worked by the intern:

• Less than 120 hours worked — no reimbursement available
• 120+ hours worked — 75% reimbursement for wages paid to intern
• The maximum reimbursement is $5,000 per student
• Businesses must submit documentation to Y.O.U., the Intermediary, after the conclusion of the internship. A payroll report or final pay stub is required - it should show the business name, intern name, hours worked, dates, and amount paid (gross and net).

Submit an Employer Interest Form Today!

Examples of Previous Employer Partners

American Publishers, LCC

Avery Dennison

Berkshire Local School District

Black Girl Media

Brooklyn City Schools

Christopher @ Architects LLC

Clear Fork Valley Local Schools

Columbiana County ESC - David Anderson High School

Crestview Local School District

Cuyahoga Community College Manufacturing Technology Center

Dawn Incorporated

Desired Designs

Divine Living of Madison

EHOVE Career Center

EMC Precision

Energy Deals LLC

Firelands Local School District

Fisher-Titus Medical Center

Geauga Growth Partnership

GL Power Inc

Grand River Rubber

Griffin Technology Group

Hyland Software

J Ritchie CPA

Jennings Center for Older Adults

Kerek Industries

KTSDI LLC

Mansfield Engineered Components

Mika Metal Fabricating

NetworkingGuys, Inc.

Newton Falls Exempted Village School District

Nexus Engineering Group

North Ridgeville City Schools

Norwayne Local Schools

Oatey

OHM Advisors

Ontario Local Schools

Orrville Area Boys & Girls Club

Penwell Funeral Home

Rockwell Automation

Snively

Tech Dynamix

Triway Local School District

University Hospitals

Warther Cutlery

Western Reserve Group

Willoughby Eastlake Schools

Questions? Contact itinternships@youcle.org for more information.

Located elsewhere in Ohio?

Contact your regional intermediary to learn more:

• Northwest and West Ohio: Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) — soche@soche.org
• Central Ohio: Educational Service Center of Central Ohio — hsti@escco.org
• Southwest Ohio: INTERalliance of Greater Cincinnati — central.office@interalliance.org
• Southeast Ohio: Building Bridges to Careers — internships@bb2careers.org