The Toledo Public Schools Business Advisory Council is proud to highlight its latest initiatives, developed in collaboration with regional partners, to empower local students and expand career development opportunities.
1. The Return of TPS MADE Camp
Now in its fifth year, the MADE (Manufacturing & Design Experience) Camp offers rising 4th–7th graders immersive, hands-on learning in advanced manufacturing and design. Originally launched in 2019 by the TPS Business Advisory Council with the Lucas County Department of Planning and Development and the Office of then-Senator Sherrod Brown, the program continues to grow.
This summer, we are proud to expand MADE through a new partnership with the Northwest Ohio Innovation Consortium, while continuing our work with the Lucas County Department of Workforce Development. We also welcome former Senator Sherrod Brown’s nonprofit, Dignity of Work Institute, as a new partner in 2025.
Held at TPS high schools and featuring visits to local industries, MADE Camp helps students explore STEM concepts, build foundational skills, and discover career pathways in a dynamic field.
2. TPS Youth Hiring Event Expands in Year Two
On April 23, TPS hosted its second annual Youth Hiring Event at the Glass City Center, in continued partnership with the Lucas County Department of Workforce Development. This expanded event welcomed employment-bound juniors and seniors from all TPS high schools and academies.
More than 80 employers, trade unions, education and training providers, military recruiters, and service organizations participated -offering students direct entry points into jobs, training programs, and postsecondary education.
To help students prepare, Harbor, Inc., the local CCMEP provider, led professional readiness workshops at every high school, covering resumes, interviews, and workplace skills. This growing event demonstrates TPS’s commitment to aligning education with workforce needs and will return in April 2026.
3. TPS NEXTSTEP Empowers Students for Post-Graduation Success
In October 2024, TPS hosted the district’s largest college and career readiness event -NEXTSTEP- at the Glass City Center. The event engaged all 6th, 8th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students, offering early exposure to TPS’s thematic academies and post-graduation pathways.
Younger students explored TPS’s career-themed programs, while sophomores, juniors, and seniors connected directly with more than 100 industry, education, training, and military partners. With career exploration activities, workshops, and one-on-one advising, NEXTSTEP plays a critical role in helping students map their futures -whether through employment, higher education, or technical training.
These initiatives -and many more- reflect Toledo Public Schools’ unwavering commitment to preparing students for success after graduation and building a strong workforce pipeline for our community. We thank our partners for their continued support in helping students thrive.