This video is long, but a great view of how important work-based learning is to students.
A district effort to increase work-based learning opportunities for students.
Work-based learning (WBL) is one of the larger goals for CTE programs. It is our responsibility, as educators, to provide our students with access to authentic, real-world experiences that reinforce our curriculum and student learning. It is also an indicator of program success and required by PDE.
Examples of work-based learning can consist of the following:
Internships - Paid work opportunities in a specific business or program that reinforces student learning in a particular field.
Student Run Business - Live work in the classroom under the supervision of the teacher. Students developing products or offering services based on partnerships with internal or external clients.
Competitions & CTSOs - Project-based learning centered around competitions and CTSO participation.
Job Shadowing - Short term exposure to particular job or field with on-site visitation.
Job-site Tours - Short term exposure to a job site.
Guest Speakers - Bringing industry reps or workers into the classroom for Q&A sessions. Ask them to come into the classroom to give demonstrations or short lessons!
Use your Occupational Advisory Committee (OAC)! Grow your OAC with industry partners so you can discuss and grow work-based learning opportunities for students.
Set calendar dates for CTSO and other competitions. Know when your CTSO will have their regional and state competitions. This will help you develop projects that get students ready for the competitions.
Use your OAC for guest speakers and possible tours.
Discuss and pay attention to opportunities provided by the district. The SDP has several opportunities for students to participate in paid opportunities. Contact - Melodee Williams for more information ->
Start a Student-run business and offer your goods or services to the school community. Go here for more information to start a Student-run business ->
Fixing with the experience loophole of "Most job opportunities require experience, but how do you get experience without a job?" Students that participate in internships, student run business, or a CTSO will gain the experience of working towards a goal, working in a group or team, and develop problem solving skills.
Students gain prospective opportunities to work for the employer after they graduate. It's important for students to form connections with possible employers and team members when participating in an internship or student run business as they can use those connections as references or leads for other opportunities. Networking will be a key skill for success.
Students learn valuable soft skills. This includes teamwork skills, customer service skills, time management, communication skills, and problem-solving skills. Almost all of the time, work-based learning will done in teams and students will learn how to communicate better.
Students will further develop their interests and direction. As students experience different jobs, internships, or work-based opportunities; Students will start to develop their interests and direction for themselves. This is essential because students need to start making connections to their interests in order develop a post-secondary plan.
Presentation on the mismatch of education and business.
Presentation on developing work-based learning strategies in the program.
If your student(s) are participating in WBL opportunity during the summer, offer them credit for journalling their experiences. Give them a structured journal and ask them to complete it daily or weekly. Use this for PAL completion.
If your student(s) participate in a competition, have them reflect on what they've learned through the process. This can be done either as a group discussion, a presentation, reaction video, or a written reflection. Reflections are a great way for students to actively think about their experiences and what they've learned from those experiences.
Have students update their resumes after they've completed a competition, a work-based learning opportunity, internship, or student run business. Have students condense and describe their role.
Employer Guide to Internships
WBL Documents for Internship Placements