Embedded Files
Explore resources available to support students on their vocational journeys, including our comprehensive step-by-step guide to help students navigate employment and career success.
Workplace Readiness Week: Monday April 28 - Friday, May 2, 2025
Workplace Readiness Week is a statewide initiative designed to help students gain essential knowledge and skills for entering the workforce. Throughout the week, students are encouraged to learn about important topics like work permits, labor laws, employee rights, workplace protections, and how to balance work with education. The goal is to empower young workers to be informed, responsible, and prepared as they begin their first jobs.
Workplace Readiness Week also encourages students to explore career options, understand what employers expect, and start building a foundation for long-term success in the workplace.
Free Workplace Readiness Curriculum Resources
The Young Workers Education Project in collaboration with the UCLA Labor Center, offers the following free resource:
Five-Day Learning Cycle Curriculum for Workplace Readiness Week — a collection of lesson plans and activities focused on building workplace skills, understanding labor laws, workplace safety, and professional growth..
Overcoming Obstacles, a non-profit that has been providing free research-based life skills lessons for K-12 students since 1992, has a series of three lessons dedicated to youth employment:
A Game Plan for Work: 5 lessons on preparing for the job search.
Getting the Job: 6 lessons on obtaining a job.
On-the-Job: 5 free lessons on developing skills in the workplace.
Suncoast High School Career Academy
We’re excited to announce the creation of our brand-new Suncoast High School Career Academy site which will provide eligible and interested high school students access to a series of vocational-based Google/Coursera courses. This incredible opportunity allows students to earn free career certificates in fields like IT Support, UX Design, Data Analytics, and more!
Stay tuned for an interest form coming soon for returning families after the intent to re-enroll window closes on May 1, 2025.
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Coming this Summer and Fall
In-person vocational opportunities! Our new High School Events Coordinator, Colleen Cohen, is working on putting together exciting in-person opportunities in Orange and Los Angeles Counties. We will post those opportunties here when they are ready.
Step-by-Step Guide to Empower Students in Career and Employment Success
At Suncoast, we aim to prepare students with the knowledge and skills to transition successfully into the workforce. This following guide provides essential information to help students navigate the workplace, understand their rights, and be aware of workplace protections.
Getting Ready - Suncoast Elective Courses to Help Prepare Students for the Workforce
For students seeking preparation before entering the workforce, we recommend one of our three work-exploration electives.
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Suncoast offers the following courses, which can be listed on a student’s Independent Study Agreement:
Career Exploration: Discover different career fields and match personal interests to potential job paths.
Career Planning and Development: Focus on resume building, completing job applications, and creating online job profiles.
College and Career Planning: Combine career exploration with college planning, helping students connect future education goals to career opportunities.
Helpful tip: students can use a variety of free job skills curriculum resources to support their Suncoast vocational courses.
For example, the Overcoming Obstacles site offers a variety of high-quality, easily accessible free lessons on teen life skills, including a series called Getting the Job, which has 5 lessons on job skills, including:
Starting Strong - Outline of the Steps along the Path to Youth Employment
Beginning a job search is an exciting milestone. Following these simple steps can make the process smoother and more successful.
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1. Understand Labor Rights
Before applying, it’s important to learn about labor laws and workplace protections for minors. Knowing basic rights helps in making informed decisions about employment.
View the Labor Laws section on this page for more information.
2. Identify Skills and Interests
Consider personal strengths, interests, and talents. Matching these with a job opportunity leads to a more positive and rewarding first work experience.
3. Create a Simple Resume
A resume highlighting skills, volunteer work, activities, and any special training (such as CPR certification) shows responsibility and readiness, even without formal job experience.
Visit the Overcoming Obstacles site for free lessons on teen life skills, including a series called A Game Plan for Work, which has 5 lessons on preparing for the job search, including:
4. Search for Opportunities
Explore local businesses, online job boards, and community resources. Networking through family, friends, teachers, and neighbors can also open doors to job opportunities.
5. Prepare for Interviews
Practice answering common interview questions and speaking about strengths and experiences. A confident and prepared approach makes a strong first impression.
Visit the Overcoming Obstacles site for their series called Getting the Job, which has 5 lessons on job skills, including:
6. Clarify Job Details
Before accepting a position, it’s important to understand the schedule, pay, and responsibilities. Asking questions ensures clear expectations and a positive start.
7. Complete Required Work Permits
In California, most individuals under 18 must obtain a work permit before starting a job. Schools typically issue permits.
Learn more about the process in our Work Permits section below.
Obtaining a Work Permit - An Essential Step for Students
Obtaining a Work Permit - An Essential Step for Students
When your student is ready to apply for a work permit, please reach out to the Suncoast High School Team at highschool@suncoastprep.org to request the necessary forms and guidance. We require all high school students to maintain a GPA of 2.5 to be eligible for work permits. Please read below for more information about the types of work permits in California.
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Work Permits for Students
In California, most students under 18 are required to obtain a work permit before starting a job. Work permits help ensure legal compliance and protect student safety by setting clear guidelines for employment during school years.
It’s important to know that there are two main types of work permits for minors in California:
General Work Permit for Youth
This permit is required for most traditional jobs, including positions in retail, food service, and other businesses.
Information about California student work permits can be found here.
A link to the California Permit to Employ and Work can be found here.
Entertainment Work Permit
Students seeking employment in the entertainment industry (such as acting, modeling, or performing) must obtain a specialized Entertainment Work Permit, which has different requirements and processing steps.
Information about Entertainment Work Permits can be found here.
A link to the Entertainment Work Permit document can be found here.
For more information, visit the California Department of Education's Work Permits for Students page.
Option to Earn High School Credit for Work Experience
If a student has secured a job, they may be eligible to earn elective credit through Suncoast’s Work Experience elective course. Read below for more information.
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What is the Work Experience elective course?
This is an elective course that combines paid employment with coursework focused on workforce preparation. Work Experience Education provides an excellent opportunity for students to earn credit while gaining real-world experience.
This course is flexible and customizable, but may include the following topics:
Essential skills like how to get, keep, and leave a job, as well as economic and career awareness.
Work habits, attitudes, self-confidence, job-related skills, and a personal portfolio.
Students must independently secure a job that meets course requirements.
Understanding Labor Laws and Student Rights
Learn about the key labor laws and rights that apply to students, ensuring you are informed and empowered as your student enters the workforce.
Keep the Fair Labor Standards Act in Mind While Job Seeking
Keep the Fair Labor Standards Act in Mind While Job Seeking
This important labor law helps clarify the differences between employees and independent contractors, ensuring that young workers understand their rights and protections in the workplace.
This important labor law helps clarify the differences between employees and independent contractors, ensuring that young workers understand their rights and protections in the workplace.
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To get started, teens can visit the Department of Labor's website (or view the embedded flyer below) to help them identify the differences between employees and independent contractors
To get started, teens can visit the Department of Labor's website (or view the embedded flyer below) to help them identify the differences between employees and independent contractors
Work Hours for Teens - Labor Law Guidelines that Apply to all Students
This is important information every student should know when evaluating job offers. Review the details below to understand the legal limits on the hours students ages 14–17 are permitted to work during the school year.
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Labor laws protect teens from working excessive hours or during restricted times. You can learn more from the Labor Occupational Health Program (LOHP) pamphlet, Are You a Working Teen?
The following rules about working hours apply specifically to anyone under the age of 18 years who is required to attend school. They do NOT apply to high school graduates under the age of 18, however they DO apply to high school dropouts who are not yet 18. Learn more about who the California child labor laws apply to.
Key Information: Overview of Minor Labor Laws and Rights in One Place
Read the flyer below to learn more about minor labor laws and rights, including breaks, sick leave, unsafe working conditions, wage theft, and where to go for more information.
Know-Your-Rights-2024-25.pdf
Volunteering: A Genuine Pathway to Employment
Volunteering: A Genuine Pathway to Employment
Volunteering is not only a way to give back to your community; it can also be a direct pathway to employment. Many organizations look to their volunteer teams first when paid positions become available. By volunteering, you get your foot in the door, gain hands-on experience, and build relationships with staff and leadership.
Volunteering is not only a way to give back to your community; it can also be a direct pathway to employment. Many organizations look to their volunteer teams first when paid positions become available. By volunteering, you get your foot in the door, gain hands-on experience, and build relationships with staff and leadership.
The skills you develop, such as communication, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving, are highly transferable to paid roles within the same organization or beyond, at a different organization.
The skills you develop, such as communication, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving, are highly transferable to paid roles within the same organization or beyond, at a different organization.
Even more importantly, through your volunteer service, you demonstrate reliability, dedication, and a strong work ethic, proving your employability to potential employers. Volunteering shows that you are motivated, capable, and ready to take on greater responsibility, making it a smart and rewarding step toward your future career.
Even more importantly, through your volunteer service, you demonstrate reliability, dedication, and a strong work ethic, proving your employability to potential employers. Volunteering shows that you are motivated, capable, and ready to take on greater responsibility, making it a smart and rewarding step toward your future career.
Helpful recommendation: students can earn elective credit at Suncoast for volunteer experience with our Community Service elective course. Ask our high school team for more details.
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