Building more effective on-ramps from school to work
Most of us learn by doing- yet the doing is often the part that students experience the least.
Students need exposure to career paths and occupations they know nothing about.
Academics provide an important foundation but without exposure to how classroom learning relates to a job or career, students are learning without context.
We are fortunate in Lancaster County that we have engaged partners who are building connections between educators and employers, by working together to provide internships, apprenticeship, job shadows, business tours, and even externships for teachers. However, there are far too few of these work-based learning opportunities in the county.
Without these connections and opportunities to explore, students are more likely to leave high school or college early or, after graduation, cycle from job to job without a clear understanding of the careers they want to pursue. Former high school interns report that work-based learning helped them identify and better understand the career paths that interested them.
Work-based learning is the on-ramp to a career. Paid and unpaid opportunities connect classroom learning to real-world careers while helping employers cultivate talent, fill workforce needs, and build a stronger pipeline of future employees.
Key Objectives
Career Ready Lancaster! will implement effective strategies that improve student access to vital career-connected learning opportunities throughout our county.
Increased Engagement in Education
CRL! will collaborate with its education partners to create, share, and distribute best practices in work-based learning, broadening the reach of high-quality career exploration opportunities for youth countywide.
Expand Professional Networks
CRL! will collaborate with the Lancaster Chamber to boost employer participation in work-based learning via the Inspire platform, while also facilitating direct partnerships between local businesses and the educational community.
Work Based Learning in Action
Work Based Learning Toolkits
IU13 is in the process of creating toolkits for employers and educators to encourage and assist them in facilitating and hosting work based learning opportunities for students. The Toolkits will provide step by step instructions on how to launch and conduct work based learning including toolkits for job shadowing, internship, or business tour, to name a few.
Team & Advisors
Jill Hackman
Career Counselor
Garden Spot High School
Dr. Lauren Miller
Executive Director
Lancaster STEM Alliance
Samantha Sweigert
Programs & Innovation Coordinator
Lancaster County Workforce Development Board
Kimberley Patrick
Facilitator
Career Ready Lancaster!
Mel Upton
Administrator for Non-Traditional Learning and Career Readiness
Conestoga Valley School District
Michelle Shirey
Career and Enrichment Coordinator
Cocalico School District
Community Partners
Finalized content will be distributed through CRL! employer networks and communication channels and will benefit employers, workforce development professionals, educational institutions, community organizations, and industry stakeholders seeking to strengthen talent pipelines and expand workforce opportunities.
Become The Solution
Your involvement helps create stronger career pathways and more opportunities across Lancaster County. Get involved or make a donation today to help move this work forward.