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Work-based Learning

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Work-based Learning Contact Information

  • Dawn Ulmer, NDCTE Strategic Projects Manager

RUReady.ND.gov Work-based Learning Module Contact Information

  • Julie Hersch, Career Resource Network Supervisor
  • Laura Glasser, Career Resource Network Administrative Assistant
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Work-based Learning

Together we will expand opportunities to benefit students, employers, and communities.

Work-based Learning is education that works for North Dakota!

What is Work-based Learning?

The term, “work-based learning” means (for the purposes of Perkins V funding):

  • Sustained interactions with industry or community professionals in real workplace settings, to the extent practicable; OR

  • Simulated environments at an educational institution that foster in-depth, firsthand engagement with the tasks required in a given career field, that are aligned to curriculum and instruction.

After consultation with various stakeholder groups, such as business/industry partners, school administration, Workforce Development Council, etc., the overwhelming majority agreed that the state indicator should be work-based learning opportunities. Based on this feedback, the North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education has determined the secondary program quality indicator will be the percentage of CTE concentrators graduated from high school having participated in work-based learning. This guidance has been developed to clarify the components of this secondary program quality indicator. It will provide definitions and examples of work-based learning experiences. An explanation of the use of Career Ready Practices is also included. Data will only be collected once throughout a student’s high school years.

Work-based Learning Goals 

  • Fill the demand for a trained workforce within the state of North Dakota.

  • Provide early exposure to careers and prepare students to be successful in the workplace

  • Create a bridge between education and the labor market so students will be Choice Ready, and communities will flourish.

  • Engage students, develop a career mindset, and inspire the development of career goals.

North Dakota Work-based Learning will meet goals by:

  • Collaborating with industry professionals, community stakeholders, students, and educators to create quality work-experiences.

  • Emphasizing the connection between core education and the workplace.

  • Facilitating Career Exploration prior to work experience.

  • Teaching young people, the transferrable skills they need to be successful.

  • Preparing students for the work-based learning experiences and Preparing students to be an asset in the workplace.

  • Creating customized training plans for skill development and assessment.

  • Preparing employers to provide training for students as potential future employees.

  • Documenting work experience for academic credit.

  • Creating quality simulated work experiences, project-based learning experiences and other approved WBL activities.

  • Documenting the WBL Activity for credit.

  • Fostering a career mindset.

  • Making education relevant to careers.

  • Producing Choice Ready high school graduates.

  • Expand educational opportunities in all classes.

Work-based Learning Guidance

Career Ready Practices

  • Career Ready Practices/Rubrics
  • The Career Ready Practices are the evaluation tool for completion of the work-based learning indicator.
  • Assessment for each CTE concentrator having participated in work-based learning must include the use of the five following Career Ready Practices (CRP):
    1)            Responsible Employee
    2)            Technical Skills
    4)            Communication
    8)            Problem Solving
    12)          Teamwork

Career Ready Practices Course Guidance

Work-based Learning Module in RUReady.ND.gov

North Dakota provides RUReady.ND.gov to all North Dakota students. RUReady.ND.gov contains high school and career planning tools and the newly added WBL Module.

If you are looking for supplemental activities, we have a few sources to check out.            

 

Work-based Learning Coordinator Training

  • Work-based Learning Coordinator Training is scheduled for March 2023.

  • Training will combine three face-to-face days of instruction/collaboration and two virtual sessions.

  • The course instructors will supply all training resources.

  • Participants who complete training will be eligible for the WBL Coordinator Endorsement which allows coordinators to manage quality work-based learning experiences for students in all CTE program areas. A WBL Coordinator will be the point of contact for students, employers, and educators.

  • Professional Development Credits will be available through UND, NDSU and Valley City.

  • Learners who complete their training will be qualified to be the teacher of record for the following MIS03 codes.                 
    • 01999 – Ag Cooperative Work Experience
    • 14999 – Business Cooperative Work Experience
    • 09299 – Family and Consumer Sciences Cooperative Work Experience
    • 07999 – Health Education Supervised Occupational Experience
    • 27999 – Information Technology Cooperative Work Experience
    • 04999 – Marketing Cooperative Work Experience
    • 10999 – Technology & Engineering Education Cooperative Work Experience
    • 17999 – Trade and Industrial Education Cooperative Work Experience
    • 20076 – Career Seminar
    • 20060 – Career Management

WBL Coordinator Endorsement Information

Employer Resources

Webinars