Work Based Learning

Work-based learning means sustained interactions with industry or community professionals in real workplace settings (or simulated environments) that foster in-depth, firsthand engagement with the tasks required of a given career field aligned to curriculum and instruction.

Work based learning encourages employability skills (such as communication, teamwork, social interaction, goal planning, problem solving, conflict management, initiative and enterprise, organization, self-management, resume writing, and interviewing.) Businesses offering WBL opportunities can create a strong return on investment (ROI) in factors such as increased human capital development, brand awareness / loyalty and existing staff retention (to name a few).

Florida's Work Based Learning Manual

Future Readiness is a Team Effort- Learn about partnering with us to offer Work Based Learning at your business and/or career exploration engagements with our Career Academy students.

 Book an Info session HERE.

Community Partnerships in Education

The spectrum of work based learning opportunities with Community Partnerships ~

Examples of low-commitment opportunities:

  • Serving on a career advisory committee (Advisory Committee Members collaborate on addressing workforce needs with Academy teachers and to communicate advocacy & mentorship for the given industry - minimum scheduled meetings twice (2) annually during school year), offering job shadowing, worksite tours, and presenting as guest speakers.

  • Other opportunities: Student Mentorship, Teacher Externship, Co-teach a lesson, Career Fair Exhibitor, Mock Interview, Career Interviewee

Examples of mature-commitment opportunities:

  • Host a student(s) in an Internship (see details below)

  • Host a student(s) On-the-Job-Training (see details below)

Internship

  1. A highly-structured, career training experience in which learners are placed at a worksite to observe and participate in work firsthand. 

    • Can be paid or unpaid. 

    • Can be truncated into a very short-term “micro-internship”

  2. Time-limited; has an expiration

  3. It is considered an “extracurricular," and is not necessarily for transcript credit

  4. Will only be reflected on a student's transcripts if the students works 150 + and it will only show up on there as a 1 credit “Pass” course.  If the students works less than 150 hours they will not have a course code/grade on their academic transcripts 

"Post to Host" at the Education Foundation of Martin County Internship Platform

OJT - On the Job Training

  1. Part-time job, not necessarily mentored at location of employment, students can work anywhere as long as the company has a Federal Tax ID and follows the manual, and the student has completed a related CTE course

  2. Doesn’t necessarily have an expiration date.  Students can work at their jobs for as long as they would like or as long as the company would like. (Even after the school year ends)

  3. Allows for students to be released from school, or not on campus during their OJT release period(s)

  4. On that note, students can have up to 3 OJT release periods on their class schedule at one time for a max of up to 450 hours of “seat time”

  5. OJT will be reflected on the students' transcripts as a class with quarterly grades given to students.

Community Partner Action Steps

  1. Determine what type(s) of partnership(s) you are interested in supporting

  2. Determine which Career Academy is most relevant to your industry or profession

  3. Complete the Martin County School District Community Partner Interest Form https://forms.gle/vbzSrN1ariGhBaGQ9 (completing this form does not guarantee placement)

  4. Email the site CTE Program Specialist with interest; include the description of how you would like to partner

District Workforce Coach farrelk@martinschools.org

Jensen Beach High School powerg@martinschools.org

Martin County High School southws@martinschools.org

South Fork High School greenl3@martinschools.org

Note: These programs or activities are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Martin County School Board. The Martin County School Board is not responsible for the information or instruction provided in these program or activities.