
Work-Based Learning (WBL) consists of school-coordinated workplace experiences in partnership with local businesses and organizations based on student career interests and goals. WBL students apply classroom instruction in a real-world business or service-oriented work environment. PWCS and the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) recognize eleven WBL experiences:
Job shadowing, service learning, mentorship, externship, school-based enterprise, internship, entrepreneurship, clinical experience, cooperative education, youth registered apprenticeship, and registered apprenticeship.
PWCS Work-Based Learning Brochure (PDF)
All CTE programs include the following elements:
- Classroom instruction - Students build a foundation of academic and technical competencies, attitudes, and develop a work ethic that supports career success and lifelong learning
- Career and technical student organizations (CTSOs) - These professional organizations provide experiences that reinforce and strengthen classroom learning and prepare students for individual responsibility, teamwork, and leadership in their chosen career pathways
- WBL experiences - Opportunities for students to apply and refine knowledge, attitudes, and skills through professionally coordinated and supervised work experience directly related to career goals
Benefits of WBL:
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Builds on classroom and CTSO experience, easing the classroom to workplace transition
- Supervised, authentic experiences shape and enhance knowledge, skill, and attitudes
- Students develop careers beyond their secondary and postsecondary education
- Students who participate in WBL experiences are often able to continue to work for their placement companies after high school graduation or even after college graduation
- Employers increasingly seek new hires with WBL experience