WORK BASED LEARNING specialists

Job Corps Work-Based Learning (WBL) works by connecting students' classroom training with practical, on-the-job experience at a partner business. The Job Corps center and the employer collaborate to create a structured internship that applies and reinforces the student's vocational education in a real work environment. 

Here is a step-by-step overview of how the program works for both students and employers:

For the employer

1. Partnership agreement: The Job Corps center works with you to develop a formal WBL agreement (MOU), which outlines the specific training and skills the student will learn.

2. Mentorship: You provide a direct supervisor or workplace mentor who guides the student through their tasks and provides ongoing feedback.

3. On-the-job training: The student applies their classroom knowledge to specific, meaningful job assignments at your worksite. These tasks help the student master the competencies required for their career field.

4. Performance evaluation: You document the student's achievements and competencies, providing an evaluation of their performance. This feedback helps measure the student's progress and career readiness.

5. Monitoring and support: The Job Corps center maintains close communication with you, making regular site visits to monitor the student's progress and ensure a safe training environment.

6. No obligation: You have the opportunity to assess the student's skills and cultural fit before deciding whether to extend a full-time job offer. 

For the student

1. Vocational training: Students first complete classroom and technical training at their Job Corps center in a high-demand career field.

2. Placement: The center's WBL coordinator places the student in a WBL opportunity with an employer whose needs align with the student's training. Placements can occur at an employer's off-site workplace or, in some cases, at a designated on-center worksite.

3. Hands-on experience: The student works on assignments directly related to their career technical area, gaining practical experience and achieving specific training milestones.

4. Supervision and mentorship: A workplace mentor provides guidance, while Job Corps staff monitor their progress and help them with challenges.

5. Compensation: While some WBL placements may be unpaid internships, others may be paid. The Job Corps center helps arrange compensation details and often provides students with a living allowance to cover their basic expenses.

6. Career readiness: As they progress, students develop and demonstrate both job-specific skills and "career success skills," such as teamwork, professionalism, and communication. This makes them more valuable potential hires after graduation. 

Flexibility of the WBL model

Job Corps offers several WBL models that can be tailored to the employer's needs: 

• Cooperative Education: A structured arrangement that provides students with specific, job-related assignments at an employer site.

• Internships: Short-term, hands-on placements that give students practical experience related to their career training.

• On-the-Job Training (OJT): Direct training for specific job functions.

• Service Learning and Special Projects: Volunteer community service projects linked to the student's learning objectives.