Work-Based Learning Manual - Overview

"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 Overview - PDF

DEFINITION AND EXPLANATION
Work-Based Learning is career awareness and exploration, work experience, structured training, and/or mentoring at the work site. There are Work-Based Learning activities appropriate for every grade level to support students in developing career awareness, exploring career options, developing appropriate workplace skills, and relating academic skills to real-world applications.

Work-Based Learning provides students with opportunities to study complex subject matter as well as vital workplace skills in a hands-on, "real life" environment. Students have opportunities to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired in the classroom to tasks performed in the workplace. As students see the connections between their school work and what is required at the work site, they gain an understanding of the importance of learning and are able to make better decisions about their futures.

WORK-BASED LEARNING ACTIVITIES

-Apprenticeships

-Career Fair

-Clinical Work Experience

-Educator Internships

-Field Study

-Guest Speaker

-Job Shadow

-School-Based Enterprise

-Service Learning

-Student Internships

WORK-BASED LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Extend the walls of the classroom learning to include the community
• Provide meaning for students by narrowing the gap between theory and practice
• Allow for career awareness, exploration and preparation activities that are coordinated with
  school-based learning activities
• Provide students with opportunities for first-hand experiences in a professional work setting
• Allow students to explore career options in a particular field of work
• Use a combination of course work and part-time work experience for which school credit/outcome verification is awarded
• Use written training agreements to outline what students are expected to learn and demonstrate at the work site and what employers are expected to provide
  

STANDARDS
A Work-Based Learning coordinator is an educational professional who:

• Can implement every aspect of the state's Work-Based Learning program
• Can provide appropriate Work-Based Learning services to and through various established education service areas
• Is informed about Work-Based Learning regulations and how they affect and apply to students, schools, business/industry partners,
  parents and other entities that become involved with Work-Based Learning activities
• Understands and utilizes basic marketing and public relations principles to promote, develop and maintain community partnerships and foster support of Work-Based Learning within the education system
• Understands and exemplifies the need to coordinate among all participants to ensure Work-Based Learning activities and functions take place with minimal conflict and optimal outcomes
• Utilizes the classroom to provide relevant Work-Based Learning instruction, workplace readiness skills development and evaluate participants in various Work-Based Learning activities
• Performs all necessary administrative responsibilities pertaining to the establishment and maintenance of a quality Work-Based Learning program

Updated October 26, 2010