Workpaths! Connecting Education with Business

Definitions of Frequently Used Work-Based Learning Terminology

Apprenticeship		A registered on-the-job training program for studentsworking towards a degree or certification
Career Fair		An event where multiple employers may present and displayinformation about their companies and available careers in a booth-type setting.
Career Pathways		Broad groupings of careers that share common characteristics, education, training and abilities.
Career Speakers		Representatives from businesses speak to groups of students, parents or educators and provide information about various careers.
Educational Development Plan (EDP)		An ongoing process, beginning in middle school, in which a student identifies both career goals and an action plan to achieve them.
Internship		A program developed on an individual basis between schools and employers for a specific period of time. May or may not be compensated.
Job Shadowing		Students in groups of one to three are assigned to an individual employee in the company in order to learn more in-depth about a particular company or career.
Mentoring		Worksite mentors serve as coaches, advisors and role models to students through a variety of activities.
Mock Interview		Where mployers put students through a simulated hiring process in order for them to gain experience with resumes and interviewing.
Service Learning		An instructional method that combines community service with academic study. Conducted in not-for-profit locations.
Work-Based Learning (WBL)		A powerful method for introducing K-12 students to the world of careers and the wonderful opportunities. It provides students with real-life examples of how-to-use skills learned in school in every day life and introduces students to careers that might not have been previously considered.
Workplace Tour		A walking tour of a business or company to introduce the work environment to students. Often includes a brief description of the overall business.