33 Report: August 2026

On Track with Director Szabrak

One of the questions I hear most often from families is, “How do we get our kids thinking about their future earlier?”

This summer, we set out to answer that question with Level Up!, a new program designed specifically for students entering ninth and tenth grade. Held July 27 and 28 at the Workforce Center in Carroll, the program gave younger students a hands-on look at careers in industrial technology and drones, two fields that are rapidly expanding in central Ohio.

We’ve always believed that engaging students at every level, not just those about to graduate, is key to building a workforce pipeline that actually works. Our Explore Camps, designed for middle school students, have been extremely successful but we realized that the gap that existed between those camps and a student who might be considering the pre-apprenticeship programs for his or her senior year was an opportunity. Between our industrial technology and drone sessions, Level Up! participants had plenty of opportunities to explore technology, ask questions of professionals, and figure out what intrigues them, all without the pressure of a traditional classroom setting.

Perhaps the biggest value of Level Up! is what it sets up for the future. Students who get an early taste of hands-on, technical career fields are far more likely to explore pre-apprenticeship opportunities when they reach their senior year, a pathway that can lead directly into high-demand, well-paying careers without the burden of student debt.

By starting the conversation now, we’re not just filling a summer program; we’re helping students build a roadmap toward pre-apprenticeship and beyond. I’m proud of what our team accomplished with this inaugural program, and I’m already looking forward to growing it in the years ahead.

Want to see Level Up! in action? View a recent 10TV feature (opens in a new tab on an external site) highlighting the program and the impact it’s having on local students.

Rick Szabrak
Director of Economic and Workforce Development

News Along the Corridor

Workforce Center News