Work-based Learning
What is Work-Based Learning?
What is Work-Based Learning?![]()
What is Work-Based Learning?
Work-Based Learning (WBL) is an educational approach that combines classroom instruction with practical work experiences. This method allows students to gain hands-on experience, applying their academic and technical knowledge in real-world settings related to their career interests. WBL programs include internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, and other experiential learning opportunities that enable students to explore various career paths and develop essential workplace skills.
Why choose work-Based Learning?
Why choose work-Based Learning?![]()
Why choose work-Based Learning?
Choosing Work-Based Learning provides numerous benefits for students. By participating in WBL programs, students can:
- Gain Practical Experience: Students apply classroom theories in real-world scenarios, enhancing their understanding and skills.
- Explore Career Paths: Students can try out different careers and find their true interests and passions.
- Develop Professional Skills: WBL helps students build essential workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management.
- Network with Professionals: Students can establish valuable connections with industry professionals, which can be beneficial for future job opportunities.
- Enhance Employment Prospects: With hands-on experience and developed skills, students are better prepared to enter the workforce and significantly contribute to their chosen industries.
Benefits
Benefits![]()
Benefits
- Real-World Experience: Students gain practical experience in their chosen field, enhancing their understanding of theoretical concepts taught in the classroom.
- Skill Development: Students develop essential workplace skills such as communicating, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management.
- Career Exploration: Students can explore different career pathways, helping them make informed decisions about their future careers.
- Networking Opportunities: Students have the chance to build professional relationships and networks that can be valuable in future job searches.
Business Involvement
Business Involvement![]()
Business Involvement
Business involvement is free and completely voluntary. However, the benefits of partnering with Career Technical Education (CTE) are tremendous. By partnering with us, your business may:
- Train Future Employees: Assist in training future employees with pertinent industry experience.
- Develop Curriculum: Provide input and assistance in developing and refining the career technical education curriculum and possible future course offerings.
- Promote Career Pathways: Promote career pathways and work-based learning for local students.
- Support CTE Programs: Support the continued existence, growth, and operations of career technical education in secondary programs.
The level of your involvement in partnering with MetroED is entirely optional. Below are a few examples of the various types of levels and partnerships:
- Guest Speakers: Share your expertise and experiences with students as a guest speaker.
- Work-Based Learning Opportunities: Offer students internships, job shadowing, and apprenticeships.
- Curriculum Development: Collaborate with educators to develop and refine curriculum that aligns with industry needs.
- Sponsorships and Donations: Provide CTE programs with financial support, equipment, or other resources.
Types of programs
Types of programs![]()
Types of programs
- Internships: Short-term experiences where students work on specific projects or tasks under the supervision of a professional in their field of interest.
- Apprenticeships: Longer-term programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction, leading to certification or credentials in a particular trade or profession.
- Job Shadowing: Observational experiences where students follow a professional through their daily routine to gain insights into the day-to-day responsibilities of a particular career.
- Experiential Learning Opportunities: Various other programs that provide hands-on learning experiences, such as cooperative education (co-ops), service learning, and practicum experiences.
WHAT IS AN Employer ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER?
WHAT IS AN Employer ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER?![]()
WHAT IS AN Employer ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER?
- Collaborate with educational and other business professionals
- Provide insight into future employee needs and current trends
- Act as a professional resource and mentor to the teachers
- Assist in curriculum review, verification of labor market needs and placement opportunities
- Provide information to help design, update, modify, expand, and improve the quality of ROP courses
- Add support and validate CTE programs
- Help teachers deliver instruction directly related to business and industry standards
internships
internships![]()
internships
Internships are a crucial part of career and technical education, giving students the opportunity to gain real-world experience. In the 2023-24 school year, 167 students logged 21,829 hours across 137 locations, applying their classroom knowledge in professional settings.
These diverse opportunities help students explore career paths, build industry connections, and prepare for the workforce. The significant hours spent underscore the commitment to career readiness, making internships a vital bridge between education and employment.
| A Grace Sub Acute and Skilled Care | About Smiles Dental Practice | Adelante Dual Language Academy | Advanced Surgicare |
| Aida M. Galan, DMD A Professional Corp | Allcare Acupuncture and Herb Clinic Corp | Almaden Smiles | Alum Hills Dental |
| Anderson Elementary School | Aurora Dental | Ava Rejuvenation | Bay Area Pediactric Primary Care |
| Big Smiles Dental | Bright Smiles Dental Office | Butterfly Dental Care | Campbell Village |
| Cardenas Duarte Dental Partnership | Care Orthodontics | Castro & Hipona Dental Care | Central Dental Group |
| Children's Recovery Center 2, LLC | Clarity Medical Spa | Comfort Dental Group | Concentra Urgent Care |
| Concept Dental/Ninh A. Dao, DDS | Crescent Medical Center | Cupertino Dental Group | Dental Dimensions |
| Dignity Dental Care | Dr Cheryl G Vicencio | Dr Tripty Gandhi | Dr. Dennis Baik DDS |
| Dr. Francisca Mojica/La Amistad Dental Office | Dr. Kenia Martinez/Ideal Dental Care | Dr. Kenneth K Yao | Dr. Keyhan/Prospect Dental Care |
| Dr. Madala M.D. | Dr. Morvarid Khatibian/Pearly Dental | Dr. Rose M. Feliciano D.M.D. Inc. | Dr. Sarita Wang |
| Dr. Shahrivahr | Dr. Sona Khinvasara/Prospect Dental | Dr. Yianni Ellenikiotis | East Hills Vision Care |
| Erica A. Del Rosario, DDS | Erin Beveridge | EZ Dental | Family Supportive Housing |
| Fardis Shahrivar, MD, Inc. | First Health Clinic | Fun Dental | Gabucan Family Dentistry |
| Gardner Family Health | GHS- St. James Health Center | Giggles Galore Daycare | Gloria Wu MD |
| Golden Hills Dental | Gurdip Narula Dental Corp | Hai Lam-Rio dental Clinic | Harmonyholistic wellness center |
| Hearts and Minds Center | Ideal Dental Care | Infinity Dental Group | Irma Francisco DDS |
| J Tran Family Care, Inc. | Jeanette Ziemek, DDS | Jeffrey R. Sholer DDS | Jennifer Moran DDS Inc |
| Juan C Carrillo MD, A professional corp (Buenas Salud Pediatrics) | K and T Dental | Khalsa Dental Care | Ky Minh T. Ha, DMD |
| La Amistad Dental Office Corp | Lakshmi Madireddi | Linda RX Pharmacy | Live Oak Adult Day Care Center |
| Los Gatos Dental | Los Gatos Foot and Ankle Center | LTMIS (Little Tree Montessori International School) | Mario Cordero, D.M.D. |
| Monica Duarte, DDS | Morvarid Khatibian, DDS | Nam Nguyen DDS | Neema Malhotra MD (USCIS clinic) |
| Ninh A. Dao, DDS | NMCI Medical Clinic, Inc. | Nong Dang MD | Oakridge Dental |
| Oanh Kha (Eye City Optometry) | One Health Primary Care | Orchid Dental | Parastoo Parsa DDS Inc. |
| Priti A Patel, DDS, Inc | Prospect Dental Care | Radiant Dental Care | Rainbow Medical Center |
| Raman Nazari DDS Inc | Raymond Funada, DDS | Reach Dental Care | Rio Dental Clinic |
| Robert Malonso DMD | Rosa D. Wynn, DMD | Santa Teresa Family Dental | Saxena DDS Inc |
| Shinrai Homes | Shiying Zou DDS Dental Corporation | Signature Dental | Sikka Dental Corporation |
| Silicon Valley Dental Care | Silicon Valley Internist Group Inc | Sima Stein, MD | Smile Plant Dental |
| Smileworld Dental Clinic | Sona Khinvasara DDS | South Bay Pediatrics | Spa Dentistry |
| Story Dental Health Center | Suezaki Family Dentistry | Susan R. DiBene DDS | Syed Dental Care |
| Teresita L. Dizon DMD Inc | Thang D. Tran, M.D. | The Dental Dimensions/Dr. Deepak Shetty | Tooth Fairy Cottage |
| VA PALO Alto Medical center | Vicencio Dental Group | Vidya Bobba Dental Group | Vino Smiles Dentistry |
| Vitas Healthcare | W Dental Care | Weight Wise & Family Practice Medical (ReviveBody MD) | Well Being Dentistry |
| West Valley College/Mission College | Westwood Center | Winfield Dental Studio | Woodlands Healthcare Center |
| Yousmiledental |
valued partners
valued partners![]()
valued partners
We are fortunate to celebrate partnerships with over 125 entities from businesses, community colleges, and non-profit organizations in Silicon Valley. We thank the following partners for their contributions in the past school year.
| Businesses | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Pet Hospital | City of San José | Cupertino Electric, Inc. | DGDG |
| Ford | General Motors | Good Samaritan Hospital | Honda |
| Ignite | Kaiser Permanente | Meta | Nissan |
| Palo Alto Medical Foundation | San Jose Fire Department | Santa Clara Fire Department | Sherwin Williams |
| Silicon Valley Leadership Group | Subaru | Tesla | The Silicon Valley Organization |
| Therma | Toyota | Valley Transit Authority (VTA) | Valley Water |
| Non-Profit Organizations |
|---|
| City of San Jose |
| County of Santa Clara |
| EnCorps |
| Joint Venture Silicon Valley |
| Los Altos Rotary |
| Los Gatos Rotary |
| MetroED Foundation |
| NextFlex |
| Santa Clara County Office of Education |
| Silicon Valley Education Foundation |
| Valley Transit Authority |
| Work2future Foundation |
