SCHOOLS ARE CHOOSING WORK-BASED LEARNING TO CONNECT TO THE REAL-WORLD OF WORK
The DuPage County Regional Office of Education (ROE) is proud of the culture we have created that drives innovative learning. By offering more programs that help meet the needs of your students in identifying and preparing to successfully enter the workforce, you are transforming lives.
Participating schools benefit from:
- Inspiring students to explore their college and career aspirations.
- Aligning work-based learning opportunities to the ISBE School Report Card and other measures of accountability.
- Advancing postsecondary programming for all students including dual credit and pre-apprenticeships.
- Building strong community connections with business partners and professional networks.
- Developing multiple career pathways in high-demand industry sectors like manufacturing, cybersecurity, information technology, health services, and logistics.
HOW TO GET STARTED:
The Regional Office of Education (ROE) has dedicated staff and resources to support your efforts. Please contact us to learn more about opportunities for students including apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing, and facility tour.
Currently, we are offering pathway experiences in both manufacturing and information technology, with new industries being added as demand increases. Click here to learn more about specific industries and pathways offered.
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION
FAQs:
Why should a student get involved in work-based learning?
Work-based learning programs, including youth apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship, provide opportunities for high school students to experience, and gain skills in a real work environment. Simultaneously, they give businesses a chance to inspire and develop a new generation of talent.
What is work-based learning, including the pre-apprenticeship model?
Work-based learning represents a continuum of on-the-job, career exploration experiences. Depending on the grade level of the student, activities could include business tours, job shadowing, internships (a few days or weeks, up to a semester), and paid pre-apprenticeship employment. Students can earn high school credit for participating in apprenticeship and internship programs, and in some cases, they may be able to earn credit for future apprenticeship programs beyond high school.
How are students placed in businesses for pre-apprenticeship jobs?
Student candidates complete an interest survey that includes questions about their course work, prior work experience, access to reliable transportation, and hours that they can work. In turn, GPS Education Partners works hand-in-hand with school districts to place students with employers that are in close proximity to the school. The student’s readiness and career goals will also play important roles in the placement process.
Who is responsible for transportation to the job site?
Students should have access to reliable transportation. If students do not have access to reliable transportation, school districts will explore a variety of options with students and their families so that the student can participate in the program. Every effort is made to minimize transportation issues as a barrier to participation.
Do students need to have prior work experience in order to be hired for a paid pre-apprenticeship job
Students do not need to have prior work experience in a pre-apprenticeship career pathway in order to be a qualified candidate.
How do students get involved if they want to learn more about workbased learning using an apprenticeship model?
To learn more about the pre-apprenticeship program and other work-based learning opportunities, students should reach out to their school’s college and career counselor, their own counselor, or principal.
