Work Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) Programs are structured educational experiences that integrate classroom learning (school-based) with productive, structured work experiences (work-based), related to a student's career goal.
Key Components:
- School-based learning
- Work-based learning
- Connecting activities
- Work-Based Learning
- Provides paid or unpaid work experience
- Promotes a partnership between education and industry
- Integrates academic and technical instruction
Work-Based Learning provides an opportunity for juniors and seniors to start preparing for a career while still in high school. Individual programs of study in the freshman and sophomore years prepare students for a successful work-based learning experience.
Through Work-Based Learning, students are able to earn wages while learning from skilled professionals, increase career options and future employability, strengthen academic skills, experience the connection between education and real-life work skills, earn post-secondary credit while in high school and experience potential careers in the workplace.
Work-Based Learning enables employers to play an active role in shaping the quality of their future workforce. Through Work-Based Learning, employers are able to increase skill levels of potential workers, work with educators to develop curriculum based on industry standards, recruit and screen potential employers, reduce turnover of entry-level employees through the hiring of Work-Based Learning graduates and improve competitiveness in the marketplace.