K-12 Work-Based Learning Program at Workforce Partnership

Program Summary
Workforce Partnership provides work-based learning events and activities designed to connect classroom education with real-world work experiences. These events are structured to expose students to various industries, helping them explore potential career paths, develop job skills, and gain practical insight into the workplace. Some of the common types of WBL events we offer:

- Career Days and Industry Panels
- Job Shadows
- Guest Speakers
- Internships/Apprenticeships
- Worksite Tours
- Simulated Work Experiences and Projects
- Program Advisory Committees
- Career Fairs

Work-based learning events offer students an early understanding of their interests and abilities, build confidence, and prepare them to make more informed choices about post-secondary education and career choices. Workforce Partnership currently works with school districts in Johnson, Leavenworth, and Wyandotte counties to promote connections between schools, communities and local industries, aligning education with local workforce needs.

All K-12 students in the three districts we serve are eligible to participate in a WBL opportunity. Those opportunities are structured by the school’s administrative and counseling team and offered through the schools. Opportunities and experiences will vary from district to district, and from school to school within the districts. Workforce Partnership hopes to add a second staff member dedicated to this work so that we can expand our intermediary services into more schools.

How You Can Help

We need more employers engaged with our schools! Discuss with your HR leadership how your company or organization could host one or more of the experiences listed above. Non-profit organizations and civic/government organizations are great places for young people to gain work experience too!
Share this information with your local schools and with other employers or organizations that may be interested in offering WBL opportunities.