Open/Switch Enrollment for APS Employees is October 1 through 16
Albuquerque Public Schools
Work-Based Learning
Work-based learning helps students connect what they learn in school to real-world employability skills. Through experiences such as internships, apprenticeships, job shadows, and mock interviews, students are able to build employability skills and explore the career fields of their interest. With support from teachers, local organizations, and community leaders, students are able to graduate on time with the skills and resources needed to be successful in the workforce or in post-secondary education.
Work-Based Learning
Work-based learning (WBL) is an educational strategy that provides students with both academic and work experiences where they are able to apply academic and technical skills to develop and improve their employability skills. Work-based learning engages middle and high school students through in-depth workplace experiences to promote education and future college or career readiness.
Purpose and Benefits
The purpose of work-based learning is to provide students with opportunities to gain work experience and form a foundation of core academic and technical components required for their career of interest. In the classroom, students will be able to find what they are passionate about and gain the experience and knowledge needed to be successful throughout their chosen career path.
Under the guidance of CTE teachers, adult mentors, and community industry leaders, students learn to work in teams, solve problems, and meet employers’ expectations. By introducing students to the Career Cluster framework and providing opportunities for problem solving and demonstrating skills in an authentic workplace setting, work-based learning can motivate and reinforce student learning in ways not available in traditional classroom settings.
Work-Based Learning Goals and Benefits
Work-Based Learning allows students to see how classroom instruction relates to real world experiences pertaining to career and educational opportunities by providing:
- Active participation of educators, employees, students, parents, and appropriate agency and community representatives.
- Development of learning and workplace competencies.
- Interest in school activities creating more of a liking towards school.
- Improvement of student grades.
- Improvement in student employability.
- Increased awareness of career opportunities.
- Helps students in identify their ideal Career Cluster, Sub-Cluster, and Program of Study.
Types of Work-Based Learning Experiences
There are many types of work-based learning experiences that might make sense for a student's age or occupational/job interests. Some are more intense than others and provide different ways of learning such as:
More information is available through the Students and Teachers buttons below.