This document provides guidance on developing work-based learning programs for career academies and pathways. It discusses determining key stakeholders, including school boards, employers, and teachers. Programs should follow district policies and identify employer partners in the region. A continuum of career awareness, exploration, and preparation experiences should be created, tailored to grade levels. Implementation requires developing marketing materials, checklists, and plans for student internships. Challenges may include coordinating schedules and transportation. Ongoing communication and tracking outcomes are important for maintaining partnerships and sharing successes.

1. How to Create Powerful
Work-Based Learning Programs
for Multiple Career Academies
and Pathways
Diana LaMar, Ed.D.
Education Consultant
DL & Associates
Rose Gonzalez
Teacher on Assignment
Fontana Unified School District

2. What is Work-Based Learning
and Why is it Important?

3. Successful Academies Require
Work-Based Learning
Career Exploration Software

4. What are Those Skills?
 Hard work ethic
 Showing up to work on time
 Collaboration and team work
 Effective communication
 Dressing appropriately for the job
 Following directions

5. We Know Why, but How?

6. KEY STAKEHOLDERS
DISTRICT NEEDS
BOARD POLICIES
EMPLOYERS
Who are they?
Where are the gaps?
What are the
district and Board
policies?
In your region, who
are they?
DETERMINE:

7. Determine Your
Key Stakeholders
 School Board and District Cabinet
 Business and Community Partners
 District-level WBL Director
 District Risk Manager
 Secondary School Administrators
 Work-Based Learning (WBL) Teachers
 Academy Coordinators
 Teachers, Students, Counselor, and Parents
VISION

8. Determine Your Needs
 School Board policies
 District policies
 WBL positions
 Affiliation agreements
 Internship training plans
 How do you educate
stakeholders about
WBL??

9. Follow Board / District Policies:
 Business partner approval
 Content of affiliation agreement
 Certificate of liability protocol
 Business partner monitoring
 Fingerprinting business partners
 Student transportation
Create a system and develop timelines.

10. WHO are the Employers in Your Region?
What are the largest employers?
 Hotels
 Health Care
 Education/Government
 Agriculture
What are the small businesses?
 Retail
 Restaurants
 Entertainment

11. WBL ETIQUETTE
 How do you “define” a region or
area?
 How do you track your business
partners?
 How do you share partners with
neighboring districts?
 Are you going to have a Regional
WBL system?

12. What Does YOUR Work-Based Learning
Plan Look Like?

13. Utilize Existing Resources
Your
WBL
Plan
ConnectEd
California
Linked
Learning
Alliance
Other School
Districts
California
Department
of Education
NAF
Career
Academy
Support
Network

14. Career
Awareness
Career
Exploration
Career
Preparation
Create a WBL Continuum
Specific to Your District
Define each type
of WBL activity.
Decide what is
developmentally
appropriate for each grade
level.
Grades 7, 8, & 9
Grades 9 & 10
Grades 11 & 12

15. Career Awareness
(grades 7, 8, 9)
 Career exploration software
 Career fairs
 Guest speakers / volunteers
 Informational videos
 Work-place tours – in-person and virtual
Career
Awareness
Career
Exploration
Career
Preparation

16. Career Exploration
(grades 9 & 10)
 Continue career exploration software
 Workplace tours
 Professional interview day
 Job shadows
 Mentor programs or virtual exchange programs
 Student-based organizations (HOSA, Skills USA,
FHA-HERO, FLBA, etc.)
Career
Awareness
Career
Exploration
Career
Preparation

17. Career Preparation
(grades 11 & 12)
 Continue career exploration software
 Mock Interviews
 Community/Volunteer Service
 Internships – paid or unpaid
 Senior Presentations
 Post-Secondary Opportunities
Career
Awareness
Career
Exploration
Career
Preparation

18. How Will You Implement Your
WBL Program?

19. Find Your Business Partners!
 Start with your CTE teachers’ contacts
 Use your networking skills
 Join local business associations
 Attend Chamber of Commerce meetings
 Conduct internet searches
 Read the local magazines and newspapers
 Access social media
 Ask your existing industry partners to recruit their
colleagues
 Recruit from the advisory boards of your post
secondary partners

20. Develop Marketing Materials
linkedlearningpsusd.com

21. Create Brochures & Handouts

22. Create Opportunities for Involvement

23. Advisory Boards are Powerful

24. Business Partners can be:
• Mentors for student-based
organizations
• Audience members for student
presentations
• Judges for industry-themed
events
• Guest speakers
• Hosts for field trips

25. Business Partners are ESSENTIAL
But what do they
expect when
students show up for
Work-Based Learning
experiences?

26. Create a Checklist for WBL Activities
 Tailor to your school
district
 Organization is key:
paperwork and
communication
 Ensure the students are
prepared 

27. Create a Plan for Student Internships
 Begin with desired student outcomes.
 CTE teachers and business partners are
your experts!
 Student and parent input is important.
 Be mindful of child labor laws.

28. Evaluate Your Plan for
Rigor & Relevance
Treat WBL the same as an academic class.
 How will learning be assessed?
 How many hours are required?
 How many site visitations by the teacher are
required?
 Get honest feedback from employers.

29. WBL is for ALL Students
 Ensure equity and access.
 Determine prerequisite skills
required for different types of
WBL activities.
 Allow opportunities for all levels
of maturity and skill.
 Develop a 4-year plan.

30. Keep Positive Relationships
 Written thank you notes and/or
certificates from students
 Recognition by School Board
 Radio, television, social media
 Company logo on academy
website
 Invitations to academy events
 Follow-up after advisory
meetings

31. Student Recognitions are
MEANINGFUL

32. Advertise On Your Website and In
Brochures

33. What are Some Challenges You May Face
When Developing a WBL Program?
 Finding enough local business partners in particular
industries
 Paperwork/requests/authorizations
 Coordinating schedules & substitutes
 Marketing and outreach
 Funding
 Keeping organized
 Transportation
 Finding chaperones

34. Remember the Importance
of Ongoing Communication
 Regularly inform school personnel
about events
 Collaborate at weekly academy meetings
 Conduct monthly WBL teacher meetings
 Consult with your community partners
 Network with educators from other school
districts
 Keep the students visible within the community
and at School Board meetings

35. Hard Work Pays Off…
Keep track of your data and
share successes with all stakeholders.

36. WBL is Constantly Evolving.
Diana LaMar, Ed.D.
DL & Associates
760-518-8573
dianalamar123@yahoo.com
Rose Gonzalez
Teacher on Assignment
Fontana Unified School District
GonzRo@fusd.net
Thank you for your attendance.