Resources for Hiring Students & Creating Work-Based Learning Programs at your Organization
Resources for Hiring Students & Creating Work-Based Learning Programs at your Organization
We've compiled resources below offering best practices and tools to facilitate successful internship programs, apprenticeships, classroom partnerships, and more! Quality work-based learning programs provide a unique, immersive opportunity to grow talent pools in our region starting at a young age. For Louisville to outpace the growth of its peer cities, we must ensure we have solid pipelines in place to strategically attract and retain top talent.
WHY HIRE STUDENTS?
Employers benefit from the talent, energy and diversity of Louisville's youth, while strengthening our city's future.
This creative talent solution offers you a strategic return on investment. By connecting with the newest members of the workforce, you are building your talent pipeline by offering students the chance to build the relevant experience necessary to be prepared for their careers, and, help to grow the span of desirable and qualified job candidates for your workforce. Plus, offering your employees the opportunity to manage entry-level employees will prepare them for leadership roles in the future.
Expand your Talent Pipeline
Expand your Talent Pipeline
Whether you are locating to the region, expanding, sustaining your current operations, or looking to upskill yourself or your team, Louisville’s most robust workforce ecosystem can help you find a solution! From job skills training to education assistance, and workforce advocacy to overcoming barriers to work, Louisville is leading the way in preparing the workforce of the future and expanding your talent pipelines.
Recruitment: Know your Audience
Recruitment: Know your Audience
As you strategize recruitment methods, think like your target candidate. Generations coming into the workforce value face-to-face communication and building relationships.
Get social and embrace technology by meeting your talent pool where they are.
Taking advantage of social media networks to promote opportunities will yield a broader and more diverse reach.
Is your site mobile-friendly? Younger generations are much more likely to apply via smartphone.
Standout with your Job Description
Standout with your Job Description
When creating your job descriptions, think about your brand. Consider utilizing images and videos to capture the culture of your company and spotlight your job opportunities in a more engaging way.
What's a day in the life like? Grab their attention early by showcasing the work you do and why it's meaningful.
What's in it for them? Focus on growth and development and highlight the skills they'll need, and what they will be learning.
How can you make the best use of their time? Could you allow multiple departments to provide projects? Employees will maximize their knowledge of your company and build a more comprehensive picture of your industry if they are able to engage in a variety of projects.
Youth are paired with jobs that align with their studies. They meet real business needs, fill vacancies, and bring diversity to the workplace. More than 90% of employers who hire young adults through SummerWorks report that they would recommend it to other organizations - and plan on hiring again next summer!
If you are an employer looking for young talent, KentuckianaEARNS will connect your jobs with talented job seekers (ages 16-21) in our area. Employers have access to job seeker resumes and training results. You will also be able to build a dynamic company profile and promote the company mission and pathways to attract the best talent in our community.
WORK-BASED LEARNING PROGRAMS
INTERNSHIPS
An internship is a professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work related to a student's field of study or career interest. Internships are facilitated by an employer, often in collaboration with a higher education institution. The internship provides a realistic environment within which a student intern learns about a particular industry or occupation and applies knowledge and skills learned in the classroom. The work experience should contribute to the student's career pathway, helping them narrow their career choices. Internships can be paid or unpaid and can be compensated in various manners.
MICRO-INTERNSHIPS: A shorter-term option is to offer a 2-4 week experiences for students, or a micro-internship. Depending on the position, this experience could allow students to focus on a singular project, individually or in a group, with a shorter time commitment.
YOUTH APPRENTICESHIPS
Apprenticeship is a system of skilled occupational training that combines practical work experiences with related academic and technical instruction. An apprentice works on the job for an employer and is taught and supervised by an experienced person in the chosen occupation. The preplanned, progressively challenging work-based learning experience usually extends two to four years. To get started in developing a program at your company, reach out to an Apprenticeship Workforce Consultant with the Kentucky Education & Labor Cabinet to assist in the process.
CO-OPS (COOPERATIVE EDUCATION)
Cooperative education is a method of instruction where technical classroom instruction is combined with paid employment that is directly related to classroom instruction. The cooperative method of instruction provides students enrolled in career and technical courses an opportunity to extend their employment preparation beyond the classroom. The two experiences must be planned and supervised by the school and the employer so that each contributes to the student's career objective/major and employability.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT
"SummerWorks has been an excellent way to recruit motivated, energetic youth who have brought fresh thinking to our manufacturing operations."
"SummerWorks has been an excellent way to recruit motivated, energetic youth who have brought fresh thinking to our manufacturing operations."
Bill Good, VP of Manufacturing, GE Appliances
Hire Youth through SummerWorks!
It starts with a summer and builds a foundation for the future.
Hire Youth through SummerWorks!
It starts with a summer and builds a foundation for the future.
Since 2011, KentuckianaWorks, our region's workforce development board, has been recruiting and partnering with employers to participate in SummerWorks. Last summer, employers of all sizes and sectors hired more than 6,200 youth between the age of 16 and 21.
Since 2011, KentuckianaWorks, our region's workforce development board, has been recruiting and partnering with employers to participate in SummerWorks. Last summer, employers of all sizes and sectors hired more than 6,200 youth between the age of 16 and 21.
Hear directly from students and employers about the value of hiring young people.
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