Career Planning and Placement

Career Development and Work-based Learning

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Career Development Coordinators (CDC) support Career and Technical Education (CTE) and coordinate career development services for students participating in CTE. The CDC works collaboratively with administrators, student services personnel, and teachers to ensure the delivery of career development services. CDCs facilitate linkages with parents, business/industry, postsecondary institutions, and community organizations to support students' transition to postsecondary education and employment.

The CDC responsibilities incorporate the North Carolina Standard Course of Study, National Career Development Guidelines, the National Model for School Counseling Programs and Future-Ready Students for the 21st Century. Specific Career Development Coordinator responsibilities include:

  • Career Development
  • Preparatory Services
  • Transition Services
  • Partnerships
  • Professional Development

Links

 

Image of a variety of career options

Why Work-based Learning? 

 Work-based Learning (WBL) is an integral educational strategy within the Career and Technical Education (CTE) system, dating back centuries. It provides students with real-life work experiences, allowing them to apply academic and technical skills while developing crucial employability skills. These experiences occur at employer worksites, coordinated with school-based activities to illustrate the practical relevance of academic learning. 

Work-based learning strategies, integral to all CTE clusters in North Carolina, encompass the four phases of the career development continuum - career awareness, exploration, preparation, and participation. These strategies facilitate career understanding, exploration, and the development of durable employability skills and positive work attitudes. The program provides meaningful experiences aligned with learners' career interests, emphasizing hands-on learning in real or simulated work settings. Successful implementation relies on robust partnerships between schools, colleges, and local employers.  

The Work-based Learning Cycle of Experiences, integrated into the career development continuum, offers diverse, planned, and meaningful activities, providing students with varied opportunities to actively engage with the world of work. 

The Work-based Learning Cycle of Experiences, integrated across the career development continuum, reflects the evolving focus of work-based learning as students advance in their education. This structured approach enables students to progressively deepen their understanding of talents, strengths, and interests. It guides them in identifying the postsecondary education required for their chosen careers and provides opportunities to practice essential career readiness and technical skills. Postsecondary education, encompassing 2- and 4-year colleges, on-the-job training, and short-term skill acquisition programs, becomes a pivotal aspect of their preparation for entering their desired careers. 

This chart below examines the summary, anticipated outcomes, and advantages for students while also delving into the various work-based learning strategies utilized in each phase.

WBL

Cycle of Experiences

Awareness

Exploration

Preparation

Participation

Summary

Discover a variety of careers and industries, exploring different workplaces to identify personal interests and skills. 

Dive deeper into specific careers through job shadowing and mentorship, finding potential career pathways 

Develop essential skills, craft resumes, and participate in formal training to grasp workplace expectations and norms. 

Engage in hands-on experiences, cooperative work experiences, internships, pre-apprenticeships, and apprenticeships, applying learned skills in real-world settings for active workplace involvement. 

Anticipated Outcomes

Develop a foundational understanding of various career options. 

Gain insights into specific industries and professions. 

 

Acquire practical skills and knowledge for the chosen career field. 

 

Apply classroom knowledge to practical scenarios 

Advantages for students

Enhanced self-awareness and informed decision-making about future career paths. 

Informed decision-making, narrowing down areas of interest. 

Improved readiness for the workforce, enhanced employability. 

Real-world experience, networking opportunities, and increased confidence in the chosen field 

Work-based Learning Strategies

  • Guest speakers 

  • Career fairs 

  • Job fairs 

  • Transition fairs 

  • Field trips (workplace tours) 

  • Job shadowing 

  • Mentorships 

  • Service learning  

  • School-based enterprises 

  • Simulated workplaces 

  • Workplace challenges (industry-sponsored projects) 

  • Entrepreneurial Work-based Learning (Entrepreneurial Experiences) 

  • Cooperative Education (Cooperative Work Experiences) 

  • Internships 

  • Pre-apprenticeships 

  • Apprenticeships  

Work-based Learning Partnerships  

NCDPI works together with different partners to help students succeed in their future careers. They team up with businesses, community organizations, and other groups to provide students with real-world experiences and opportunities to learn practical skills. This collaboration ensures that students are well-prepared for the workforce and can make informed decisions about their career paths. 

DPI Work-based Learning Contact Connection 

For specific inquiries related to work-based learning, please email CTEWBL@dpi.nc.gov