COLUMBUS — The Ohio Career Exploration Internship Program helps high school juniors and seniors identify a career path and gain work experience. Ohio businesses participating in the program are reimbursed for 50 percent of the intern’s salary up to $5,000.

“Small businesses in the program are providing students with work experience and are helping build Ohio’s future workforce,” said David Goodman, director of the Ohio Development Services Agency.

The Ohio Career Exploration Internship Program is a partnership-driven program between a business and student. Working together the student and business identify the goals of the internship and complete an online application. Interns are employed for at least 20 weeks and complete at least 200 hours of work and instruction.

The program, which is funded by casino licensing fee revenue, was created by State Rep. Nan Baker in 2014 and was extended in the recently-passed state budget.

Currently there are 45 students in 25 counties across Ohio participating in the program. Local companies participating in the program includes Nidec Minster Corp. in Auglaize County and Creative Microsystems Inc. in Darke County.

To learn more visit the Development Services Agency website, http://development.ohio.gov/bs/bs_oceip.htm.