Work-Based Learning Manual - Marketing Your Program

"There are a lot of ways people learn. You can learn in the classroom, but the best learning sometimes takes place actually on the job. First of all, it's a clearly applied skill. Second of all, it's a very specific skill and one that really matters. We're finding that many of our children learn better in an actual work setting, particularly when it is combined with an academic experience."
– Michael O. Leavitt, Former Governor of the State of Utah

Work-Based Learning Manual Marketing Your Program - PDF

MARKETING YOUR PROGRAM
For schools to gain the support of the community and nurture effective relationships with employers and community organizations, a full range of marketing activities should be undertaken. This section of the manual focuses on two aspects of marketing your Work-Based Learning program:

-Program Promotion

-Work Site Development

PROGRAM PROMOTION
Below you will find a list of opportunities to market your Work-Based Learning program to the different stakeholders involved.

PROMOTION TO PROGRAM CONSUMERS
Parents

-SEOP
-Back to School Night
-School Orientation Meetings
-Registration Packets
-School and PTA Newsletters

Faculty/Counselors/Administration

-Faculty Meetings
-Classroom Presentations
-Nominating Teacher for Each Intern
-E-mail

Students

-Classroom Presentations
-SEOP
-Student Registration
-School Newspaper
-Bulletin Board – Highlight an Intern

Business Community

-Attend and Present at Local Business Meetings - Chamber of  Commerce, Rotary Club, Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, Etc.
-Present to Professional Associations - Medical, Accounting, Legal,  Etc.
-Distribute Request for Interns Form to Local Businesses

PROMOTION IDEAS
General Promotion Ideas

-Create Brochures
-Share Intern Presentations
-Sponsor Open Houses

Employer Promotion Ideas

-Distribute Employee Training Packets
-Use Successful Partners to Recruit Their Peers
-Show Appreciation for Business Partners - Thank You Cards, Gift  Certificates, Candy, Christmas Cards, Pens, Notepads,  Recognition Certificates, Etc.
-Keep a Database with Name, Address, Phone Number of Current  Employers

District Personnel/School Board/Legislator Promotion Ideas

-Present at Local School Board Meetings
-Host Site Visits with Intern Panels, Include Parents in Panel

Additional General Promotion Ideas
The following promotion ideas promote involvement of multiple key groups. Activities should be used based on identified needs, wants and available funding.

Written Materials
Newspapers, Brochures, Business Profile, Employer Bulletins, Fliers, Mailers

Visual Recognition
Career Fairs, Student Portfolios, Publicity

Personal Contacts
District/Regional Coordination Meetings, Announcement, Open Houses

WORK SITE DEVELOPMENT
Identify Potential Business Partners:

• Gather information about potential employers through personal contacts and professional organizations. A Request for Intern Form can be used to facilitate this purpose.

• Network with friends and co-workers. Many people have work site contacts among friends and family. Do not underestimate the value of these contacts.

• Survey local organizations. Find out the types of Work-Based Learning activities organizations in your community are willing to sponsor.

• Coordinate with community organizations such as your local chamber of commerce and the Utah Department of Workforce Services.

• Research each organization. Gather information such as the number of employees, services or products provided, job opportunities, contact names, information about other similar companies or organizations, etc.

• Additional sources for identifying and targeting employers include:

  -Alumni
  -Business Publications
  -Chamber of Commerce
  -Churches
  -Civic Organizations
  -Federal Agencies
  -Human Resource Departments
  -Internet
  -New Business License Lists
  -Non-profit Organizations
  -Parents of Students
  -Private Employment Agencies
  -Professional Organizations and Associations
  -Small Business Development Center
  -Telephone Books
  -Utah Department of Workforce Services
  -Want Ads
  -Workforce Investment Act (WIA)

Updated January 22, 2010