CTE Work-Based Learning

Work-based learning is a structured academic program where students engage in real-world activities with instruction occurring both at school and at a community-based setting with an employer. The experience provides students with opportunities to explore careers, master specific learning objectives, and earn academic credit under the supervision of a licensed work-based learning coordinator.

School districts and charter schools collect general education revenue for the credit hours that students spend in the program, including school hours the students spend at a community-based worksite. There are several types of approved work-based learning programs that can be offered for credit by school districts and charter schools in Minnesota, and each program has its own requirements. The following sections provide a brief introduction to the various programs schools can offer for credit in Minnesota.

 

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning activities support career exploration and are typically embedded into career and technical education coursework. Some examples of experiential learning activities include industry tours, guest speakers, job shadowing, service learning, internships, and apprenticeships.

Experiential learning activities usually last less than 40 hours and do not require the teacher to hold a teacher coordinator of work-based learning endorsement. When experiential learning activities exceed 40 hours, the supervising teacher must hold a teacher coordinator of work-based learning endorsement. To ensure students are well-prepared to participate in work-based learning programs, they should have multiple, laddered opportunities to participate in experiential learning prior to enrolling in a work-based learning program.

  • Informational Interview Questions   pdf iconPDF  - 11/7/22
    Districts can use this sample as is or modify the MSWord version of this document to personalize for their districts’ unique needs.
  • Industry Tour Student Checklist   pdf iconPDF  - 11/7/22
    Districts can use this sample as is or modify the MSWord version of this document to personalize for their districts’ unique needs.
  • Job Shadow Student Observation   pdf iconPDF  - 9/8/22
    Districts can use this sample as is or modify the MSWord version of this document to personalize for their districts’ unique needs.
  • Experiential Learning Opportunities and Definitions  - 7/10/18
    This document provides definitions of common experiential learning opportunities implemented in career and technical education programs.

Work-based Learning Program Development

Work-based learning programs are formal career and technical education programs which provide students with instruction at both the school and at an employer work-site. Work-based learning programs provide students with sustained interactions with industry in real workplace settings. As part of these experiences, students work with an employer partner for a minimum of 40 hours and are supervised by a licensed work-based learning coordinator. School districts collect general education revenue for the credit hours that students spend in the program, including school hours the students spend at a community-based worksite.

Work-based Learning for Students with Disabilities

All students, including students with disabilities, can benefit from work-based learning. Based on the needs of the student with a disability, a student may take a work-based learning course for credit as part of a special education program or gain work experience through a community-based transition activity. However, for the majority of students with a disability, enrolling in a general education work-based learning course may be appropriate.

Regardless of how a student accesses work-based learning, a student with a disability must be provided with opportunities to engage in competitive, integrated employment. Competitive, integrated employment means the student is working full or part-time at minimum wage or higher, with wages and benefits similar to those without disabilities performing the same work, and fully integrated with co-workers without disabilities.

Special education funding is available to school districts to support students with disabilities so they may fully participate in work-based learning programs. In order to access this funding, students must be supervised by a special education teacher to supervise their work experiences due to the unique needs associated with their disability.

 

Access to Career and Technical Education for Students with Disabilities Funding

This webpage provides detailed information and resources related to Access to Career and Technical Education for Students with Disabilities (ACTE-SPED) funding which is available to school districts to support students with disabilities so they may fully participate in work-based learning programs.

 

Secondary Transition

This webpage provides detailed information and resources for students with disabilities as they prepare to transition from school to adult living.

Sample Forms

Work-based learning programs must include training agreements and individualized training plans for each student. In addition to these documents, school districts and charter schools often require many other forms. The sample documents included below are available to districts to modify as needed.

  • Training Agreement--Unpaid   pdf iconPDF  - 11/13/22
    Districts can use this sample MS Word document to personalize for their districts' unique needs or use the PDF form as provided. A copy of each student's completed form should be kept on file at the district.
  • Training Agreement--Paid   pdf iconPDF  - 11/13/22
    Districts can use this sample MS Word document to personalize for their districts' unique needs or use the PDF form as provided. A copy of each student's completed form should be kept on file at the district.
  • Training Plan   pdf iconPDF  - 11/13/22
    Districts can use this sample MS Word document to personalize for their districts' unique needs or use the PDF form as provided. A copy of each student's completed form should be kept on file at the district.
  • Sample Training Plan Competencies   pdf iconPDF  - 11/13/22
    Districts can use this sample MS Word document to personalize for their districts' unique needs or use the PDF form as provided.
  • Student Performance Evaluation   pdf iconPDF  - 11/13/22
    Districts can use this sample MS Word document to personalize for their districts' unique needs or use the PDF form as provided. A copy of each student's completed form should be kept on file at the district.
  • Example Weekly Student Timecard Form   pdf iconPDF  - 11/13/22
    Districts can use this sample MS Word document to personalize for their districts' unique needs or use the PDF form as provided. A copy of each student's completed weekly timecards across the duration of the work-based learning experience should be kept on file at the district.
  • Worksite Selection Checklist   pdf iconPDF  - 11/13/22
    Districts can use this sample MS Word document to personalize for their districts' unique needs or use the PDF form as provided. A copy of each form completed for a particular work placement at a particular employer should be kept on file at the district.
  • Student Application   pdf iconPDF  - 11/13/22
    Districts can use this sample MS Word document to personalize for their districts' unique needs or use the PDF form as provided.
  • Work Experience Planning Checklist   pdf iconPDF  - 11/13/22
    Districts can use this sample MS Word document to personalize for their districts' unique needs or use the PDF form as provided.
  • Planning a Worksite Visit   pdf iconPDF  - 11/13/22
    Districts can use this sample MS Word document to personalize for their districts' unique needs or use the PDF form as provided.
  • Transportation Agreement   pdf iconPDF  - 11/13/22
    Districts can use this sample MS Word document to personalize for their districts' unique needs or use the PDF form as provided.
  • Reflection Questions   pdf iconPDF  - 11/13/22
    Districts can use this sample MS Word document to personalize for their districts' unique needs or use the PDF form as provided.

Youth Apprenticeship

Youth Apprenticeship programs are approved career and technical education programs that provide 11th and 12th-grade students with in-depth technical instruction both at school and at an employer partner's worksite. In this program, students participate in a career seminar course, at least 120 hours of related technical instruction, 50 hours of safety training, and 450 hours of paid work experience which is governed by an industry recognized checklist. Participating students are supervised by both an employer mentor and a licensed work-based learning coordinator.

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry coordinates Minnesota's Registered Apprenticeship Program tailored to meet the needs of individual employers. Technical instruction is coupled with on-the-job training and registered apprentices earn a salary while they gain work-related skills and training alongside an experienced mentor. Upon completion, registered apprentices earn a nationally recognized credential.

Minnesota's Registered Apprenticeship Program is a separate program from the Youth Apprenticeship Program administered by the Minnesota Department of Education. The work hours students complete in a Youth Apprenticeship Program do not transfer to the Registered Apprenticeship Program. 

 

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Registered Apprenticeship

This webpage provides additional information on Minnesota's Registered Apprenticeship Program.

Statewide Work-based Learning Data

As part of the accountability requirements for the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V), Minnesota Perkins consortia collect and report on the number of students enrolling in approved secondary work-based learning programs.

 

Minnesota Department of Education Secure Reports

This webpage allows school districts and charter schools to access secure Perkins V accountability data and to review a number of related reports.

 

Career and Technical Education Approved Program Maps

This webpage provides a searchable map of all approved work-based learning programs in the state.  

  • Perkins Accountability Measure: Work-based Learning

Professional Development

A variety of professional development is available for work-based learning coordinators to attend throughout the school year. The links below include state-level and national events scheduled throughout the year.

 

MNACTE-SNP

The Minnesota Association for Career and Technical Education/Special Needs Personnel is a statewide professional organization of individuals who coordinate work-based learning programs, teach, administer or provide transition services for students with special needs.

 

ACTE National Work-based Learning Conference

This webpage provides detailed information about the annual national work-based learning conference coordinated by the Association for Career and Technical Education.