Ohio’s first state-approved engineering pre-apprenticeship program has found its home in central Ohio, where two Canal Winchester students gained work-based learning experience at Nifco America this school year.
   “We are a firm believer in providing opportunities for young people to get exposed to the workforce,” said Nifco NA CEO Michael Rodenberg.“I was extremely impressed with the students and look forward to continuing our partnership in this program.”  
    In 2022, Nifco America, Canal Winchester High School, and the Education Service Center of Central Ohio came together to create a work-based learning plan and a pre-apprenticeship program for students in the Engineering pathway. This is the first engineering-focused pre-apprenticeship program to receive approval from the state of Ohio. The program’s first two students, Ryan Dunlap and Ryan Storts, were selected for the state-registered Pre-Apprenticeship program in the fall of 2022. The program offers the students the opportunity to gain valuable work-based knowledge on-site at Nifco America Headquarters in Canal Winchester while receiving school credit.
   “Opportunities like this create futures for our students,” said Kristin Ankrom, Work-Based Learning Coordinator at Canal Winchester High School. "We are excited to continue partnering with Nifco and to build more industry partnerships using this program as a model to expand access to work-based learning opportunities to more students.”
   Canal Winchester High School offers partnership opportunities for local businesses and industry and regularly engages with an active Business Advisory Council to grow partnerships and better understand the needs of local employers.
Aligning with the students' Project Lead the Way Engineering curriculum taught by Douglas Harmon and Benjamin Wyatt at CWHS, Nifco offers hands-on, real-world experiences for students. Located in the R&D/Design Department, the students have their own cubical office space where they can work independently. These young professionals have gained knowledge and valuable skills that will help advance them in college and their careers, from 3D modeling in Catia to designing functional display fixtures with breadboard and soldering wires to learning plastic injection molding in the automotive industry. Students can earn high school credit by completing 250 hours in the program.  
    “Their eagerness to learn is inspiring, and they have not backed down from any technical challenge thrown their way,” said Chris Bulger, Nifco Engineering Mentor. “The students will excel in college, and having them back for co-op/internship would be an honor. CWHS has done a great job preparing the students, and we appreciate their enthusiasm for the program.”