2025 SMARTNet Teen Workforce Readiness Program

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The 2025 SMARTNet Teen Workforce Readiness Program will run from June 10th to July 31st and will be held at KIPP Columbus, located at 2900 Inspire Drive, Columbus, OH 43224. The program meets four days a week for seven weeks, and students will receive breakfast, lunch, and a free laptop device upon successful completion of the program.

During the program, students receive a $15.00 an hour Stipend while exploring a wide range of career options through hands-on activities designed to help them discover their passions and interests. They will build practical skills, engage in team-building and leadership exercises, and participate in field trips that connect learning to real-world experiences. The program includes a structured exploration of career clusters to help students understand various pathways they can pursue after high school.

Participants will also earn valuable credentials recognized by the Ohio Department of Education, including:

- Ohio Career-Technical Education Credits in IC3 Digital Literacy and NRF Retail Fundamentals

- The OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal

- Internship hours applicable toward high school graduation

- Community service hours to meet school and scholarship requirements

This program is designed to empower students with both the academic and life skills needed to succeed in today’s evolving workforce.

All students will enjoy participating in the CTRL-R STEM Lab activities, funded by JP Morgan Chase, Ohio. Students will gain hands-on experiences using project-based STEM Kits and Technology-based Learning Simulators.  Students will be challenged daily to build, design and imagine using their cognitive skills while having fun.

Throughout the SMARTNet Teen Workforce Readiness Program, students will actively participate in work-based learning projects designed to simulate real-world challenges across various industries. These projects will allow students to apply critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills while gaining a deeper understanding of what employers expect in the workplace. In addition, students will have the opportunity to interact with local employers through career talks, mock interviews, and site visits—giving them direct exposure to potential career paths and professional expectations.

As part of their professional development, each student will also build a personalized Career Portfolio. This portfolio will include a polished résumé, a career interest assessment, sample work from their projects, certificates earned, and a personal career plan. The portfolio not only serves as a reflection of what they’ve learned but also as a valuable tool they can continue to build upon for internships, job applications, or college admissions. By the end of the program, students will have both the experience and the documentation to demonstrate their readiness for future academic or career opportunities.