NBHS ACADEMIES WORK-BASED LEARNING (WBL)

Overview
In today's 21st century, employers are looking for individuals who have the content knowledge and real-life experiences to prepare them for the fast paced ever changing global marketplace. It isn't just enough to know the "what" but the "why" behind it all and then being prepared to apply it all. Quite simply, utilizing the National Academy Foundation (NAF) Work Based Learning Model (WBL), brings the classroom to life.

Overview

In today's 21st century, employers are looking for individuals who have the content knowledge and real-life experiences to prepare them for the fast paced ever changing global marketplace. It isn't just enough to know the "what" but the "why" behind it all and then being prepared to apply it all. Quite simply, utilizing the National Academy Foundation (NAF) Work Based Learning Model (WBL), brings the classroom to life.

How it Works
Work Based Learning (WBL) brings the classroom to the workplace and the workplace to the classroom. By doing so, students develop a well-rounded skill set for ultimate success in the global marketplace. This is achieved through a continuum consisting of three career-focused areas that ensure students develop the ability to understand how the content they are learning in their classrooms is applied in workplaces around the world. These specific instructional strategies provide students with a skill set that goes beyond academics and includes the essential skills and experiences needed to succeed in college and beyond, with the ultimate goal of making them career and future ready upon graduation. Career Awareness: Students are introduced to career opportunities through guest speakers, worksite tours, and informational interviews. This is done continually throughout 9-12 grades. Career Exploration: Students explore specific career paths more in depth through job shadowing, worksite tours, and networking opportunities with business professionals. Students also develop the necessary soft skills for all professions through college and career skills workshops, resume development, and mock interview opportunities with career-specific employers. This is ideally completed between 10-12 grades. Career Preperation: Students culminate their real-life work experience with a high-quality paid internship that allows students to apply their classroom skills in a real job while learning more about what it takes to succeed in their career path. This is ideally completed between 11-12 grades.

How it Works

Work Based Learning (WBL) brings the classroom to the workplace and the workplace to the classroom. By doing so, students develop a well-rounded skill set for ultimate success in the global marketplace. This is achieved through a continuum consisting of three career-focused areas that ensure students develop the ability to understand how the content they are learning in their classrooms is applied in workplaces around the world. These specific instructional strategies provide students with a skill set that goes beyond academics and includes the essential skills and experiences needed to succeed in college and beyond, with the ultimate goal of making them career and future ready upon graduation.

Career Awareness: Students are introduced to career opportunities through guest speakers, worksite tours, and informational interviews. This is done continually throughout 9-12 grades.

Career Exploration: Students explore specific career paths more in depth through job shadowing, worksite tours, and networking opportunities with business professionals. Students also develop the necessary soft skills for all professions through college and career skills workshops, resume development, and mock interview opportunities with career-specific employers. This is ideally completed between 10-12 grades.

Career Preperation: Students culminate their real-life work experience with a high-quality paid internship that allows students to apply their classroom skills in a real job while learning more about what it takes to succeed in their career path. This is ideally completed between 11-12 grades.

The chart below outlines the NAF based continuum of meeting the Work Based Learning requirements for Career Awareness, Career Exploration, and Career Preparation for the NBHS Academies.

Opportunities for Work Based Learning

Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program (SYELP)
Applications for the Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program (SYELP) are now open for Summer 2020. The program is open to youth ages 14-21 and offers NBHS Academies students the opportunity to earn money, as well as credit towards their internship requirements.
Click for Video Message from WBL Team about SYELP

Job Shadows & Worksite Tours
Job Shadowing offers academy members the opportunity to visit worksites and companies in person and virtually to observe employees performing their daily work routine in their environment. Students also become educated on the industries and get a realistic picture of the tasks performed for the tasks that are required of the jobs that are highlighted and the industries they represent.

Past opportunities/partners include:

• Connecticut Science Center
• Downe's Construction
• Hospital for Special Care
• Hospital of Central Connecticut
• Microsoft
• Pratt and Whitney
• St. Francis Hospital

• Stanley Black and Decker
• Stew Leonard's
• The Bushnell
• Travelers
• Voya Financial
• WFSB
• Yard Goats Stadium

NBHS ACADEMIES WORK-BASED LEARNING (WBL)

Overview

How it Works

The chart below outlines the NAF based continuum of meeting the Work Based Learning requirements for Career Awareness, Career Exploration, and Career Preparation for the NBHS Academies.

Opportunities for Work Based Learning

Below are some pictures from previous worksite tours