Work-based learning is a critical component in helping students determine their career interests and goals and can help young people, particularly those from underrepresented demographics, build personal connections to industry professionals. However, providing robust, meaningful work-based learning opportunities can be a challenge for school districts, particularly those that struggle with human capital.
In its ongoing commitment to enhancing college and career pathway development, Joliet Junior College in Plainfield, Illinois, is actively working to improve equitable work-based learning opportunities for high school students throughout the region.
Our Role
EdSystems provided guidance to Joliet Junior College as they developed a work-based learning continuum alongside their partners: Wilco Area Career Center (WILCO), Grundy Area Vocational Center (GAVC), and Joliet Township High Schools (JTHS). These work-based learning opportunities are available to regional high school students and align with Illinois’ College and Career Pathway Endorsements. This initiative bolsters students’ capacity to pursue endorsements in priority pathways.
Beginning in 2023, our team engaged with college leadership to develop a plan and identify potential team members for engaging in work-based learning design. We collaborated with essential work-based learning stakeholders at Joliet Junior College and the region’s Three Rivers Education for Employment System, involving teachers in design teams to pinpoint gaps and create experiences. This ensured that students have access to work-based learning opportunities throughout the continuum, including career awareness, career exploration, team-based challenges, and career development experiences.
We engaged students, instructors, and industry partners in providing feedback on the work-based learning experiences, and shared the final work-based learning models with regional school teams through professional development opportunities.
