Our mission:
Work-Based Learning (WBL) gives students the opportunity to learn a variety of skills by expanding the walls of classroom learning to include the community. By narrowing the gap between theory and practice, Work-Based Learning creates meaning for students.

We provide opportunities for students to learn a variety of skills through rigorous academic preparation with hands-on career development experiences. Under the guidance of adult mentors, students learn to work in teams, solve problems, and meet employers’ expectations.

WORK-BASED LEARNING GOALS AND BENEFITS
Through Work-Based Learning, students now have the opportunity to see how
classroom instruction connects to the world of work and future career opportunities.

• Active participation of educators, employees, labor, students, parents, and appropriate
  agency and community representatives.
• Development of workplace competencies.
• Development of learning competencies.
• Motivation to stay in school.
• Improvement of student grades.
• Improvement in student employability.
• Increase awareness of nontraditional career opportunities.
• Help students identify career pathways.

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PATHWAYS
Work-Based Learning supports the CTE Pathways initiative.

Work-Based Learning experiences are available in each Pathway. Through a variety of WBL experiences students see, firsthand, how classroom instruction connects to the world of work and future career opportunities. Experiences include, but are not limited to, apprenticeships, career fairs, cooperative work experiences, field studies, guest speakers, job shadows,and student internships

Our vision is to see that all students have the opportunity to learn skills and to be introduced to the working world outside of book learning, through a variety of Work-Based Learning activities which will enable them to be prepared to enter the workforce upon graduation from high school.

PROGRAM DELIVERY COMPONENTS
Work-Based Learning is integrated and grade-appropriate at all levels of education. Career awareness, exploration, orientation, and preparation activities are coordinated with School-Based Learning activities.

Awareness: In grades K-6, students are introduced to a multitude of careers through career days (such as tool days and vehicle days), workplace visits, job shadowing, and guest speakers.

Exploration: In grades 7-8, students explore career options in a particular field of work through career fairs, field studies, job shadowing, and guest speakers.

Orientation: In grades 9-10, students become oriented with a specific career(s) through career fairs, job shadowing, and guest speakers.

Preparation: In grades 11-12, students prepare for a career of their choosing through internships, apprenticeships, clinical work experiences, and cooperative work experiences.

WORK-BASED LEARNING BENEFITS STUDENTS BY:

• Exposing students to adult role models.
• Improving scholastic student motivation.
• Applying classroom learning.
• Exploring career options.
• Helping students make better decisions and plans.
• Improving post-secondary prospects.
• Helping students understand workplace expectations.
• Exposing students to state-of-the-art practices and technology.

WORK-BASED LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Apprenticeships
Career Fairs
Clinical Work Experiences
Cooperative Work Experiences
Field Studies
Guest Speakers
Job Shadows
School-Based Enterprises
Service Learning
Student Internships

COURSE OFFERINGS

Basic Apprenticeship Related
CTE Introduction
Career Apprenticeship Starts Here
Critical Workplace Skills
Exploratory Work-Based Learning
Related Work-Based Learning

PROGRAM RESULTS/FUNDING
Since the 1990s, an interest in using the community effectively in the classroom has grown. The Utah State Legislature recognizes the value Work-Based Learning experiences have in a student’s education and has allocated ongoing funding for this program.

Updated August 21, 2009