Work-Based Learning

 

 

What is Work-Based Learning?

Work-based learning offers students the opportunity to spend time in a workplace, where they can observe, practice, and learn from professionals. It helps students understand how their school subjects apply in real job situations. 

Work-based learning is a bridge between what we do at the high school level and the real world of work. This type of learning can include internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, and projects with real companies. It not only helps students build practical skills but also gives them a clearer idea of potential career paths. Essentially, it helps bridge the gap between education and employment, making students more prepared for their future careers. As a student, think of it like getting a sneak peek into the world of work while you’re still in school. Instead of just learning from textbooks, you get to try out real jobs and see what it’s like to work in different fields. 

Types of WBL

Job Shadowing – is an early experience typically in a students junior year, an individual observes a professional in their workplace for a short period of time, typically a day or a few hours, to gain firsthand experience and exposure to potential careers they may be interested in. Students are able to observe daily tasks, responsibilities, and the work environment that is associated with the specific job role to better understand if a path in this career is a good fit for them.

 

Internships – are typically a longer term experience with a company that will help you gain real-world experience, build professional experience, help build your resume, relationship building and further explore potential career paths.

 

Pre-apprenticeships – is a program designed to introduce students to a specific trade or occupation by providing hands-on experience and classroom instruction, essentially preparing students to enter a full registered apprenticeship program after graduation, while still gaining valuable skills and knowledge in their chosen career field while in high school; it often involves partnerships between schools and local employers to offer real-world work-based learning opportunities.

 

Apprenticeships –  is a program where a student combines classroom learning in a career-focused technical field with paid, on-the-job work experience at a company, allowing them to gain practical skills and explore a potential career path while still in high school; essentially, it’s a structured way to learn a trade while earning money and receiving mentorship from a skilled worker. 

 

Business Partner – A business partner with a school is a business that our school has collaborated with to improve the educational experience for students. The business partners are typically local businesses that work with the school to provide experiences for the students in mentoring, business advisory committees, job shadowing experiences for the students, internships, pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships. Business partners assist in helping provide valuable experiences and exposure to careers for students.

 

Business Partners

Accurate Heating and Cooling

Carpenter HVAC and Mechanical

Peterman HVAC

Fairfield Insulation & Drywall

Summit Construction

Thompson Concrete

Singleton Construction

Danier Electric

TP Mechanical

TG Plumbing and Mechanical

Southeastern Machining and Field Service

Company Wrench

Kokosing Construction

Krile Communications

Midwest Fabrication

Blue Label Packaging

Kumler Automotive

Business Partners

Ricart Ford

Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office

Lancaster Police

Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office

SouthEastern Correctional

Bob’s Backyard BBQ

Alehouse 1890

Fairfield Medical Center

Kumler Collision

Reflections Healthcare Lancaster

Trilogy Healthcare Lancaster

Ohio Health

Cristy’s Pizza

 Afterschool Programs of Lancaster

 Fairfield County Economic Development

 Fairfield County Workforce Center