Not As Hard As You Think: Engaging High School Students in Work-Based Learning

Work-based learning, which is a sequenced and coordinated set of activities through which students gain increasing exposure to the world of work, is a core component of the Pathways to Prosperity framework. Work-based learning addresses a shared goal of educators and employers: preparing students with the knowledge and skills, including both technical and 21st-century skills, needed for productive careers. In addition, students who participate in work-based learning deepen their understanding of both specific career options and of the world of work. The resources on this page are intended to support leaders who are implementing and scaling up work-based learning in states and regions across the Pathways to Prosperity Network.

Not as Hard as You Think: Engaging High School Students in Work-Based Learning

This brief is intended to allay concerns about perceived barriers to young people’s access to workplaces and to highlight the successes of employers who have opened their doors to high school students. The brief profiles employers within the Pathways to Prosperity Network who have found ways to provide young people with meaningful work experiences. These case studies highlight the ways that these employers have managed the logistics of work-based learning and explain the benefits of doing so for employers.

What Employers Need to Know: Frequently Asked Questions about High School Students in Workplaces

This brief provides answers to most frequently asked questions about the logistics of access to workplaces for students under the age of 18. The answers to the questions in this brief are intended to clarify misconceptions and to serve as a starting point for employers that are considering offering internships to high school students.