FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brenda Miller
Email: bmiller@techcorps.org
COLUMBUS, Ohio (January 15, 2026) – As Ohio faces a growing demand for skilled technology workers, a new state investment is opening doors for rural students who have historically lacked access to career-connected technology education. Through a $100,000 annual appropriation included in House Bill 96, TECH CORPS is expanding its registered technology pre-apprenticeship program to rural and small-town high schools across Ohio—marking a significant shift in how communities furthest from opportunity can participate in the state’s tech workforce pipeline.
The appropriation, championed by Representative Melanie Miller under Section 265.200 Career-Technical Education Enhancements, enables TECH CORPS to deliver its Student TECH CORPS: Tech Support program to schools designated as “Rural” or “Small Town” by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.
“Ohio’s economic future depends on a strong technology workforce,” said Representative Melanie Miller. “By investing in career-connected programs for rural students, we are creating pathways that help fill critical workforce gaps.”
The funding removes a longstanding structural barrier that previously limited TECH CORPS’ ability to serve smaller and rural districts. Now, small and rural schools can offer students access to Student TECH CORPS: Tech Support, a registered pre-apprenticeship program that combines technical training, a pre-apprenticeship certificate, work-based learning hours, the OhioMeansJobs-Readiness Seal, and industry-recognized credentials aligned with high-wage, in-demand careers.
“For years, we saw the need for career-connected technology programs in rural communities, but we lacked an initial investor to help scale that work,” said Lisa M. Chambers, CEO of TECH CORPS. “This state funding allows us to meet communities where they are and demonstrate impact that can attract future public and private investment.”
Teays Valley Schools Demonstrate Early Impact of Rural Tech Pre-Apprenticeship
At Teays Valley Schools in Pickaway County, the impact of the funding is already visible. Inside classrooms where students once had limited exposure to advanced technology coursework, learners now troubleshoot devices and prepare to earn credentials that translate directly to the workplace.
Launched at the start of the 2025–26 school year, the Student TECH CORPS program at Teays Valley integrates 120 hours of applied IT training into the school day. Students work with hardware, software, networking, and customer support—building confidence alongside technical skill.
A total of 100% of eligible students in the fall semester earned a pre-apprenticeship certificate, and nearly 60% of participating students completed work-based learning hours toward graduation requirements. A second cohort begins in January, expanding access for additional students.
“As soon as the funding was announced, I reached out to TECH CORPS,” said Beth Keplar, Teays Valley Schools’ Director of Teaching and Learning. “We wanted our students to graduate with credentials and real experiences that strengthen their resumes.”
Teays Valley High School teacher Anthony Costa received training and ongoing support from TECH CORPS to lead two student cohorts during the fall semester.
“This program connects classroom learning to real careers,” Costa said. “Students see how technology applies to the workforce and their own lives.”
For seniors preparing to graduate, that connection has been especially powerful. Senior Ryan Hall entered the program unsure of his technical abilities, but months of technology labs and certification preparation reshaped how he sees himself—and his future.
“I’m much more confident working with computers now,” Hall said. “The labs and certification prep helped me understand what I’ll need in the field. No matter where I go next, technology will be part of it.”
The program’s impact reaches younger students as well. For freshmen like Billie Jeane Hall, exposure to hardware, systems, and real-world applications transformed technology from something abstract into something tangible and empowering.
“Before this program, I didn’t know much about computers,” she said. “Now I understand how they’re built, how they work, and how technology can shape my future.”
To support this kind of transformation, TECH CORPS provides participating schools with industry-aligned curriculum, educator training, and ongoing instructional support—ensuring programs can be sustained long after initial funding is secured.
“The resources TECH CORPS provides are invaluable,” Costa said. “They’ve helped me grow as an educator and helped my students gain confidence. I’ll continue using these resources well beyond this funding cycle.”
Ryan Hall, Teays Valley High School Senior
Billie Jeanne Hall, Teays Valley High School Freshman
About TECH CORPS: TECH CORPS is a national nonprofit organization that delivers meaningful, career-connected technology programs to K–12 students and educators. Founded in 1995, TECH CORPS imagines a world where every student has the skills, confidence, and opportunities to unlock the door to a successful future.
Learn more at techcorps.org or connect with us on social media at @techcorpsUS.
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