Work-based learning enables students to learn about careers, build connections with industry professionals, and develop and practice technical, academic and employability skills needed for career success.
Opportunities for Students Include:
Industry Guest Speakers: An industry professional visits the classroom to talk to students about their job or a topic of interest. They share their knowledge and experiences to help students learn more about a career or industry.
Worksite Tour: A visit to a company or workplace where students get to see what it’s like to work there. Students will tour the facility, meet employees, and learn about the different jobs and tasks they do.
Job Shadows: A work experience option where students learn about a job by walking through the workday as a shadow to a competent worker. Variations include virtual job shadows (allows an individual to observe an occupation through the use of videos) or job simulation (career exploration that allows an individual to participate and gain experience in aspects of an occupation through simulation).
Internships: An opportunity in real world environments for exposure to the requirements of a particular occupation or industry, the work environment and the behavioral expectations for success on the job. Such work experiences are not expected to provide formal training for occupational skills, although some skills may be learned. Internships may be paid or unpaid.
Apprenticeships: An employer-driven model that combines on-the-job learning as a paid employee with related classroom instruction in order to increase an apprentice’s skill level and wages. St. Vrain offers a variety of apprenticeships, some of which are through CareerWise Colorado. These opportunities may require a three-to-four-year commitment by the student – 1 to 2 years of which are postsecondary.
Industry Sponsored Project Teams: The objective of an industry-sponsored project is to create a unique, high-quality educational opportunity for students, where the educational content will enhance educational objectives of the program and class to which it is assigned. Industry Sponsored Projects in any CTE program should meet state expectations to ensure a quality WBL experience for the student.
Open Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Contact Jamie Carius for information about how to get involved in work-based learning opportunities at the Innovation Center.