Work Based Learning

We know that one of the most effective ways to prepare students for jobs is to give them real world experience. Work-based learning is a strategy that combines skill development with real world training opportunities. Apprenticeships and other work-based learning activities create opportunities for youth and adults to develop the skills needed to succeed.

Rocket concept with man holding a tablet computer

Job Shadows

Job Shadows provide student with a glimpse into the day to day of a given career. They are essential for any career exploration, and provide students with valuable insights regarding the career path they might be interested in. A job shadow typically last around four hours, in which a student observes an employee perform their daily work tasks. Job Shadows provide realistic information about a given career, with the aim of helping students in making decisions about their future careers.

Previous Job Shadow Opportunities

Internships

By definition, an internship is an advanced student, typically in college or high school, in a professional field gaining supervised practical experience. Here, students have intentional learning goals and are encouraged to actively reflect on what they are learning throughout the experience. Internships are an avenue for students to explore career options and learn more about their abilities and what interests them.

Internships can vary greatly, depending on industry and discipline, but they do share several common characteristics. These characteristics include:

Typical duration of three to nine months
Part-time or full-time commitment
Paid or unpaid opportunities
Connection to an educational program with potential to earn academic credit
Experience is an extension of the classroom

Why Should I Do an Internship?

For students, internships provide enormous benefits. Some benefits of having an internship include:

Career Exploration
- Internships allow students to learn about a career field with hands on experience, helping them to decide whether or not it’s the right field for them
Skill Development
- Students work on their professional and leadership skills, adding to their knowledge base and gaining confidence
Networking Opportunities
- Students develop relationships within the business and with other business professionals, connections that just might lead to a job.

Previous Internship Opportunities

Interested in a job shadow or internship? Talk to your Counselor or Career and College advisor NOW!

Career Exploration Interest Form

Apprenticeships

Too many people enter college without an understanding of how higher education can further their career goals (or even what their career goals are). Apprenticeships can help shape ideas about careers while building transferable skills.

Registered Apprenticeships

The registered apprenticeship model gives employers an opportunity to build a workforce trained to meet their specific skill needs. Apprenticeships offer a flexible training solution, aligned with national and company-specific standards resulting in a well-skilled, well-rounded worker ready for a professional career in the company.

To learn more:

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/apprenticeships

CareerWise Apprenticeships

CareerWise modern youth apprentices earn a wage while receiving hands-on work experience where they can apply their high-school classroom learning each week. By the conclusion of the program, students will have:

meaningful work experience
a nationally-recognized industry certification
a professional network
the opportunity to earn debt-free college credit.

The apprenticeship lasts three years to ensure students have the experience to either enter the workforce upon completion or continue on to higher education with a more focused path toward their career goals. The three-year model ensures businesses realize financial ROI based on the apprentice’s production and develop a skilled talent pipeline for hard-to-fill positions. CareerWise offers apprenticeship in five diverse career pathways.

https://findyourfuture.wpengine.com/programs/high-school/careerwise-colorado/

Local Union Apprenticeships