Work-Based Learning
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.
Types of Work-Based Learning
PWCS and the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) recognize eleven Work-Based Learning (WBL) experiences:
Job shadowing, service learning, mentorship, externship, school-based enterprise, internship, entrepreneurship, clinical experience, cooperative education, youth registered apprenticeship, and registered apprenticeship.
Work-Based Learning in the Classroom
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) - Professional organizations that provide experiences that reinforce and strengthen classroom learning. CTSOs prepare students for individual responsibility, teamwork, and leadership in their chosen career pathways
- Work-Based Learning (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 Work-Based Learning
- 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 Work-Based Learning (WBL) experience
Become a PWCS Work-Based Learning Partner
Becoming a Partner
PWCS CTE wants to partner with your business! PWCS CTE is looking to partner with organizations that have work-based learning or career opportunities for current high school students or recent PWCS graduates.
If you are interested in pursuing a partnership with PWCS CTE, please complete the partnership questionnaire. A member of our staff will be in touch after the application has been reviewed.
Questions? Please contact wbl@pwcs.edu.