Career Preparation Work-based learning Basics Christine Holecek Education

Career Preparation & Work-based learning—Basics Christine Holecek Education Specialist Christine Holecek, CTE Specialist, cholecek@esc 12. net, 254 -297 -1284

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Definition of Career Preparation A combination of technical classroom instruction & workbased learning in an approved occupationally specific area

Components of a Career Prep program Written agreement between school & student Customized training plan designed for each student Assessment of each student’s worksite learning Workplace mentor

Purpose of Career Preparation Provide students with job training and work experience At the same time applying and emphasizing knowledge in academic areas. Allows districts to utilize local employers

Components of career prep program Students should rotate among several jobs Training for workplace mentors & supervisors Employers & school work together on curriculum Employer serve on advisory committee

A Work-based Learning Experience is: ØA planned program of job training for each a student. ØIt should be appropriate for that students abilities. ØIt should include pre-employment and employment-related skills. ØIt must be combined with a schoolbased learning component.

A Work-based Learning Experience is: ØInvolves a progressive sequence of activities ØExposes student to all aspects of the industry. ØExperiences that provide real activities that helps the student develop higher-order thinking skills.

Required Policies for Career Preparation Courses Student MUST be 16 years of age or older. 2 credits—MUST receive 180 contact hours of classroom instruction. (1 sy) & 10 hr of work-based instruction per wk on average.

Required Policies for Career Preparation Courses 3 credits—students must receive a combination of 5 hrs of classroom & 15 hours of work-based instruction each school week (average)

Required Policies for Career Preparation Courses Student must be placed at the training site and have a completed training plan on file within 15 school days of student enrollment. If employment at a paid work-based site does not begin within 15 days, the student may be placed in an unpaid work-based training site or mentoring opportunity on the 16 th day of enrollment.

Required Policies for Career Preparation Courses For grading and evaluation the teacher must visit the training site at least 6 X’s a year or 1 X per grading period

Recommended Policies Students have an interest in work site. If student absent from classroom instruction, but attends work-site, student is counted absent ALL day (90% attendance rule) Work hours per workweek should not exceed 40 hrs.

Recommended Policies Except in cases of early graduation, students should not be allowed to enroll in or exit one-credit work-based learning courses at midsemester

Two approaches to work-based learning Divisional Work-based learning courses n Tied to a specific career (CTE program area) Diversified work-based learning courses n Allows a certified teacher to work with a variety of career concentrations in the same classroom.

Teacher Certification Requirements Diversified—any teacher properly certified to teach cooperative education can teach a diversified career prep course.

Teacher Certification Requirements Divisional approach—should be certified to teach cooperative education. n Obtained in one of two ways: w course work for cooperative education w Certification by “letter”

Planning Instruction and Teaching Career Preparation Training sites should not be selected for students. n n Application and interview. Put positions on bulletin board and students select. (OCR non-discrimination requirements)

Planning Instruction and Teaching Career Preparation Teacher meet with employer prior to interviews n n Appropriate dress Work schedules Duties and responsibilities should be addressed Completion of training plan with appropriate school activities and worksite activities sited. The Training Plan can be a tool for these agreements that both parties understand their commitment.

Planning Instruction and Teaching Career Preparation Sometimes situations arise that are not good for either the student or the work site. Students need to be returned to regular school program Local policy should be in writing and approved by campus leadership and guidance dept.

Planning Instruction and Teaching Career Preparation If a student is past the 16 day rule, he or she can do one of the following: n n n return to the regular classroom Unpaid training sitecampus Mentoring program

Teacher Responsibilities to the Employer Provide qualified students/workers Work closely with training sponsors Evaluate student progress on a regular basis

Teaching Related Instruction Group Instruction: n Presented to all students regardless of worksite. Individual Instruction: n specific to each student’s training station

Teacher Supervision of Training Sites. Teacher observation of the student should be brief and casual, and supervision is vital to the cooperative learning process. n Is student business-like? n Appropriately dressed? n Does work contribute to training objective? n Is there interest and excitement? n Is additional knowledge and skills needed?

Teacher Supervision of Training Sites. The teacher will also contact the training sponsor or worksite mentor. Care should be taken not to disrupt the business n Student making progress? n Student attitude? Towards job and employees? n Is the student learning while working n Is the mentor satisfied with student’s progress n What are new or different duties?

Teacher Supervision of Training Sites. The teacher will also contact the training sponsor or worksite mentor. Care should be taken not to disrupt the business. n Habits that are annoying or displeasing n n Is there more worksite training available? Is there material at the worksite that can be used at the school-based program?

Do’s and Don’ts For Training Station Visits

Maintaining Records Funding: A completed Training Plan for each student enrolled is necessary for the district to claim contact hours for funding n n Training plans are available in both paid and unpaid formats: http: //www. tea. state. tx. us/Cate/publicat. ht ml

Training plan continued: For Signature purposes-4 copies of each completed plan: n n Teachers files Employer files Student and kept with his/her records Award application or other uses

Training Plans continued: Training Plan has 5 functions n n n Serve as a guide for both work-based learning & school based learning Provide student with record or wb/sb progress Determine eligible membership in a Career program Provide information regarding student employment and hazardous occupations Evaluation guidelines for teacher & worksite

Training Plan should contain Student name & Social Security # Occupational obj. Name of training sponsor Program and Subject matter area Name of school district Beginning wage Number of hours of training Beginning and ending dates of training Length of probationary period Appropriate Sigs n Student, teacher, employer, parent,

Training plan side 2 Should list the related experiences to be provided an outline of group and individual assignments. n n n Child Labor Laws TEKS Safety and safe work habits Training supervisor will provide Work experiences correlate to study assign.

Training Plan 3 credits: n Must be in training 15 hrs/wk, with at least 10 during the school week. 2 credits: n Must be in training 10 hrs per school week.

Occupational Safety and Health Acts – Employer responsibilities Become familiar with applicable job safety and health standards To comply with standards by operating safe and healthful workplaces To eliminate hazardous conditions to the extent possible

Fair Labor Standards Act FLSA A child must be 16 years of age Must be paid minimum wage (exceptions can be made in some training situations) Be at tentative to minimum wages as they change periodically by legislation. Overtime is over 40 hrs. per week worked

Legal Considerations for Career Preparation Programs To qualify as an unpaid work-based activity, certain criteria must be met: Similar to school program Training is for the benefit of student Employer derives not immediate advantage Productive work is offset by burden of training Training does not displace another employee Not entitled to a job at completion of experience Everyone involved understand that the student is not entitled to wages or compensation When all six criteria are met, a training sponsor is not required to pa wages to a student. If any one condition is missing the student becomes and employee and comes under the FLSA :

Internet Based resources Student Attendance Handbook http: //ritter. tea. state. tx. us/school. finance/handbook/