Top 10 Tech Apprenticeships, Internships and Entry-Level Jobs in Toledo, OH in 2026

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Microsoft LEAP Apprenticeship Program
• Dana Incorporated Mechatronics & IT Co-Op/Internship
• Amazon Technical Academy
• Owens Corning Information Services Internship
• Per Scholas Tech Training
• Fifth Third Bank Summer Technology Internship
• University of Toledo IT Support & Services Roles
• AWS Technical Apprenticeship
• Local MSP & OT Engineering Roles
• The Andersons Inc Tech & Agribusiness Internship
• Career Blueprint and Next Steps
• Frequently Asked Questions

Microsoft LEAP Apprenticeship Program

When it comes to a direct pipeline to elite engineering skills, the national Microsoft LEAP Apprenticeship stands at the top. This 16-week, immersive program focuses on hands-on engineering for products like Azure and Office365, providing a caliber of training that's rare in the regional market.

While not based in Toledo, its remote-friendly model makes it fully accessible, and its outcomes are unparalleled. The program is paid, with compensation typically ranging from $40-$50/hr nationally, and is noted for its high-quality mentorship and 1-on-1 support. Graduates see high job placement rates within Microsoft or its partner network, offering a Toledo-based professional a globally competitive credential.

Applications for the cohorts typically open in July or August for fall starts, demanding a strong portfolio to showcase practical problem-solving. For the ambitious Toledoan looking to play on a national stage while enjoying a low Northwest Ohio cost of living, LEAP is the premier precision tool in the box.

Dana Incorporated Mechatronics & IT Co-Op/Internship

Deeply embedded in the Toledo region's manufacturing backbone, the Dana Incorporated Co-Op and Internship program is the premier local pathway for hands-on industrial tech experience. Operating out of The Dana Center, this program specializes in translating classroom knowledge into real-world applications in mechatronics, data systems, and IT infrastructure critical to advanced manufacturing.

Dana actively collaborates with The University of Toledo and Owens Community College, creating a tailored pipeline for local talent. As highlighted in program materials, the focus is on "translating classroom knowledge into real-world mechatronics" on tangible projects that impact global mobility operations.

This program is a cornerstone of Toledo's "Silicon Alley," offering direct access to Fortune 500-level engineering challenges without the intense competition of coastal hubs. It offers competitive paid rates for the Toledo market and serves as a proven feeder into full-time roles at a major hometown employer, making it an indispensable tool for building a robust local career.

Amazon Technical Academy

For those seeking a structured, intensive transition into software engineering, the Amazon Technical Academy (ATA) is a formidable option. This 9-month, full-time program is designed to train individuals for entry-level Software Development Engineer roles, with a curriculum meticulously built to meet Amazon's own hiring bar.

The program is paid, removing financial barriers to career transition, and success can lead to roles with salary potential ranging from $77,000 to $202,000 depending on specialization. The 2026 application cycle is expected to open in late spring, and preparation should focus on demonstrating logical thinking and a foundational passion for coding.

For Toledo residents, this represents a chance to build a high-value software career with the flexibility of remote work or relocation. It allows you to leverage Toledo's affordable living against a tech salary, making it a powerful tool for "Glass City" innovation and long-term career construction.

Owens Corning Information Services Internship

As a global leader with its world headquarters in Toledo, the Owens Corning Information Services Internship provides a corporate-tech experience at the very heart of the Glass City. This isn't fetch-coffee work; summer interns engage in substantive information services, data, and science & technology projects that support a multi-billion dollar enterprise.

The program is known for its competitive pay within the Toledo market, with interns typically earning $22-$25 per hour, and its duration of 10-12 weeks is perfectly aligned with a university summer break. Interns are also encouraged to register for university credit, adding academic value to the professional experience.

Interns get a close-up view of how technology drives a manufacturing and materials science giant, making it an ideal launchpad for those interested in the intersection of tech and industrial operations. It’s a specialized tool for gaining enterprise-scale IT experience within Toledo’s own iconic corporate landscape.

Per Scholas Tech Training

For career changers or those without a four-year degree, Per Scholas offers a transformative, tuition-free model that is critically accessible to Toledoans. Their training in high-demand fields like Cybersecurity, AI, and Cloud Computing combines rigorous technical instruction with dedicated career coaching and professional development.

As highlighted in their economic analysis, such earn-while-you-learn models are a "viable strategy for employers to find the right talent." Their national platform includes connections to over 850 employer partners, creating a powerful bridge to employment.

While often delivered online or in nearby regions, its impact is decidedly local: it creates qualified candidates for Toledo's growing tech needs in healthcare, manufacturing, and finance. This program is a fundamental tool for building a new career from the ground up, with schedules designed for adults who need to work while they learn, perfectly aligning with the practical, hands-on ethos of Northwest Ohio.

Fifth Third Bank Summer Technology Internship

In the financial technology sector, the Fifth Third Bank Summer Technology Internship in Toledo offers a robust entry into the world of fintech and enterprise IT. Interns gain exposure to the bank's business practices, operations, and core technology systems, providing a broad understanding of how a major regional bank functions at its headquarters.

The standout feature is the program's designed pathway: high-performing interns are actively considered for the full-time, two-year Leadership Development Program. This creates a clear, accelerated career track in a stable and essential industry, serving as a precision instrument for building leadership-ready tech acumen.

For students from The University of Toledo or other Ohio schools, it offers a prestigious local internship with strong conversion potential, eliminating the need to compete in saturated coastal markets. The program emphasizes developing both technical and business acumen, preparing candidates to support the growing demand for tech talent in Toledo's vital financial services sector.

University of Toledo IT Support & Services Roles

Sometimes the best tool is the most immediate one. The University of Toledo itself is a major employer and offers a variety of entry-level IT support and student worker positions that serve as an excellent "front-line" technical apprenticeship. These roles, as noted in employee reviews, are praised as a "great student IT job," providing flexible scheduling and hands-on experience in end-user support, server maintenance, and academic technology.

With starting rates around $20 per hour, they offer a practical way to earn and learn concurrently within Toledo's own institutions. These positions are a primary pathway for career changers or those building foundational experience, often valuing certifications like CompTIA A+ over a specific four-year degree.

They provide direct, resume-building experience in a real IT environment and represent the bedrock of Toledo's entry-level tech ecosystem. For those ready to start building immediately, this is the most accessible wrench in the toolbox.

AWS Technical Apprenticeship

Focusing on the high-growth cloud computing sector, the AWS Technical Apprenticeship is another specialized tool with a notable focus on supporting the military community, including veterans and spouses. This paid apprenticeship provides formal training and on-the-job experience with AWS technologies, one of the most in-demand skill sets globally.

For Toledo, with its strong veteran population, this program represents a targeted and valuable entry point. Applications are ongoing throughout 2025 and 2026, offering flexibility for those transitioning into tech. Success can lead to roles as cloud support associates, solutions architects, or developers.

These positions command strong salaries and offer significant remote work potential, allowing individuals in Northwest Ohio to build a career in a defining technology of the era. It’s a precision instrument for constructing a cloud-focused future, backed by one of its leading providers and accessible from the Glass City.

Local MSP & OT Engineering Roles

Toledo's advanced manufacturing base creates consistent demand for a specific kind of tech professional: the Operational Technology (OT) Engineer or Technician. Firms like Matrix Technologies hire entry-level engineers to support the manufacturing systems infrastructure - the hardware and software that run assembly lines and production facilities for automotive, glass, and packaging giants.

Similarly, a multitude of local Managed Service Providers (MSPs) offer the foundational entry points into IT, with roles typically starting between $15-$25/hr. These positions are the bedrock of the regional tech ecosystem, offering immediate employment and a critical chance to learn by doing in support of Toledo's core industries.

Ideal for engineering grads from UToledo or career changers with hands-on aptitudes, these roles are essential tools for maintaining the operational backbone of the local economy. They provide direct, practical experience that is immediately applicable and highly valued within Toledo's unique industrial-tech landscape.

The Andersons Inc Tech & Agribusiness Internship

Located in Maumee within the Toledo metro, The Andersons, Inc. Tech & Agribusiness Internship offers a unique tech-adjacent entry point into the vital sectors of agribusiness and logistics. This isn't a conventional software role; it's a chance to apply tech skills to optimize the global movement of physical goods, from field to rail to market.

With a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement, the program is designed for serious candidates and offers high exposure to upper-level management. Interns work on projects involving supply chain technology, data analytics for grain and plant nutrient sectors, and enterprise systems that drive this multi-faceted corporation.

This internship is a specialized tool for those interested in logistics, IoT in agriculture, or enterprise software, providing a distinctive blend of tech and tangible industry impact. It connects directly to Toledo's diverse economic base, proving that a tech career here can be built at the intersection of bytes and bushels.

Career Blueprint and Next Steps

Choosing between an apprenticeship, internship, or entry-level job hinges on your starting point and timeline. Each is a specialized tool for a different phase of your build. Apprenticeships are the intensive, paid bootcamps with high conversion rates. Internships are your summer proving grounds to test-drive a company. Entry-Level Jobs provide immediate employment to learn core skills on the front lines.

For 2026 applicants, action is needed now. National programs have strict windows, while local internship applications for next summer will be live by fall. Regardless of path, build a concrete project portfolio. Showcase a GitHub repository, a home lab, or a detailed analysis of a local business process you'd improve with technology.

Leverage Toledo's unique advantages by comparing them directly to other regional hubs:

Use local resources like Toledo Tomorrow's career tech initiatives and the robust co-op networks at The University of Toledo. A successful tech career here is about precisely selecting the right tool and beginning the deliberate work of building your future.

Frequently Asked Questions