High school students in Lorain County to receive paid technology work experience.

 Elyria, Ohio – Seven Lorain County organizations have partnered with TECH CORPS, a national nonprofit which provides K-12 students equal access to technology education programs, to provide Lorain County high school students with a summer technology, learn and earn experience. For the first time in Lorain County, TECH CORPS will offer Student WEB CORPS to 20 qualifying high school students in partnership with Community Foundation of Lorain County, OhioMeansJobs Lorain County, Lorain County Urban League, Oberlin City Schools, Elyria City Schools, Lorain City Schools and Lorain County Community College. The Student WEB CORPS program provides students with an introduction to many of the basic concepts, issues and techniques related to designing, developing and deploying websites in a simulated business environment. During the six-week paid experience, students will work in teams to build a website for a mock small business. Students will also interact with technology professionals who will provide feedback on their websites as well as share information about their educational and professional experiences.

“Student WEB CORPS is one of our signature programs and we are excited to launch this successful experience in Lorain County,” explained Lisa M. Chambers, TECH CORPS National Executive Director. “Since 2012, more that 620 students have successfully completed Student WEB CORPS in Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio. TECH CORPS has been serving Lorain County since 2014 by delivering technology programs to elementary, middle and high school students.”

“We have built strong partnerships in Lorain County and each partner is committed to putting students on a pathway to good-paying, technology careers,” said Michelle Moore, TECH CORPS Northeast Ohio Regional Manager. “Each partner plays an important and integral role in this effort.”

“In today’s world, using but more importantly, understanding technology is crucial,” said Brittany Lovett, Marketing and Communications Officer, Community Foundation of Lorain County. “The Community Foundation is committed to providing opportunities for Lorain County youth and the Student WEB CORPS program will introduce students to computational thinking, coding and computer science — skills that are transferable to higher learning and/or careers.”

TECH CORPS programs bridge the divide between the skills employers expect employees to have and the skills employees and job seekers actually possess. “Showing up on time, dressed appropriately and ready to work are basic skills that many young people struggle with early in their careers,” shared Jeremy Cordes, Youth Program Manager for OhioMeansJobs Lorain County. “Through Student WEB CORPS, youth will develop these valuable ready-to-work skills. They will also work together in teams to complete projects which offer opportunities to refine their professional skills.”

The youth program at OhioMeansJobs Lorain County offers many benefits to youth beyond work experience. Student WEB CORPS participants will be assigned a Youth Development Specialist who will help them develop goals for their future and can offer a wide variety of monetary incentives to youth who complete steps toward their goals. Youth engaged in this program may be able to access funds to assist in paying for college/vocational school, as well as supportive services to assist them with items needed for work and school. Additionally, the program has access to individual mentors and tutors that can help youth overcome both academic and life challenges to reach their full potential.

According to Oberlin City Schools Superintendent Dr. David Hall, careers in the technology field are growing by leaps and bounds every year. The opportunity to work remotely anywhere in the world right from Lorain County is another benefit to learning web development skills. Dr. Hall explained, “The students who participate in Student WEB CORPS will get a jump start on perhaps what may be a life-long career in web development. Plus, the fact that students are earning pay for work is a huge benefit as it will teach youth the value of a dollar and how to take pride in a job well done.”

Elyria City Schools Director of Academic services Natalie Matthews believes Student WEB CORPS will allow students to have an authentic work experience. “Our students will be immersed in on-the-job training that promotes time management skills, teamwork and professionalism,” she explained. “Along with these benefits comes the additional option for college credit and compensation.”

Student WEB CORPS is open to Lorain County students who will be in grades 11 or 12 in the fall of 2021. The program runs from June 21 through July 31, 2021, Monday-Friday, 9am-2pm. Students will earn $10 per hour and work in-person at Lorain County Urban League. Students must be registered with OhioMeansJobs Lorain County by April 30, 2021. For more information or to apply for Student WEB CORPS, visit http://tinyurl.com/2021SWCLorain.