About Us
About This Toolkit
The NYC Department of Education’s Work-Based Learning Toolkit was developed to assist school leadership, work-based learning coordinators, teachers and their intermediary partners in designing, implementing and supporting quality Work-Based Learning activities for high-school students. The toolkit is aligned with the Domains of College and Career Readiness and is intended to support larger school wide efforts of graduating students ready for postsecondary pathways and careers.
Why Work-Based Learning?
There are One Million middle skills jobs in New York City and 46% of New Yorkers lack the skills to fill them. These are occupations that require education after high school but not a four-year degree. There are significant skills gaps facing New York City’s fastest-growing industries and this will only continue to grow without comprehensive interventions. Work-based learning activities that help students make informed choices, plan their educational pathway and provide actionable steps to take after high school are vital to student achievement and ultimately a positive connection to the labor force.
The NYC Department of Education’s approach in supporting students in career-related programs of study is the deliberate focus on the three facets of student achievement needed for success in the labor force: the acquisition of academic, technical and core employability skills. Regardless of industry, employers consistently underscore the fact that students must have experience and mastery in all three areas, with a growing priority on the development of employability skills. Alongside efforts to enhance the rigor and effectiveness of classroom instruction, the approach requires new approaches to deliver authentic workplace experiences such as Guest Speakers, Workplace Challenges, Career Days, Workplace Tours, Job Shadowing, Mock Interviews, Internships and Work Experiences in partnership with employers. NYC DOE also encourages and recognizes activities such as onsite projects, career-based research projects, school-based enterprises, supervised clinical experience and youth apprenticeship as valid WBL experiences.
This fifth edition of the toolkit has been developed to help schools and their intermediary and employer partners deliver educationally rich and authentic experiences across the work-based learning continuum, in the classroom, the workplace and online through both in-person and virtual approaches and activities. This fifth edition reflects the NY State Education Department Work-Based Learning Manual, New York State Career Technical Education regulations and highlights the partnership between the NYC DOE and DYCD for New York City’s Career Ready initiative, in line with the Chancellor’s Career Pathways vision. This edition also includes content from the CTE WBL Institute as well as updates to NYC DOE Internship policy.
The New York City Work-Based Learning Toolkit was created by New Ways to Work on behalf of the New York City Department of Education. Team members from the New York City Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Readiness and Grant Associates provided extensive review and comment and contributed content on all drafts of the toolkit. Representatives of six intermediary organizations participating in the department’s CTE Industry Scholars Program reviewed and provided comment on early drafts. Thanks to NAF for the contribution of many of the WBL implementation tools.
Toolkit Audience
The audience for this toolset is primarily NYC DOE school staff, work-based learning coordinators and liaisons, intermediary agency staff, teachers and program staff responsible for designing and delivering work-based learning opportunities to students in New York.
Participation in enhanced WBL activities will increase teacher and school awareness of the issues facing industry and facilitate a robust and practical connection between the NYC schools and an expanded base of employer partners. Employers will be able to effectively engage with education and help support the development of their future workforce, and an increased number of students will be aware of, have experience in and be prepared for the careers of the future.
Inside This Toolkit
The toolkit is designed as a Work-Based Learning implementation guide for New York City schools and their partners. It provides an overview of work-based learning, activity guides and support materials for each WBL activity, and collection of program fact sheets and support tools.
The full toolkit, selected sections, guides and individual fact sheets and tools are downloadable from the WBL Toolkit website.
To view and print a Table of Contents for the entire toolkit, please click the following link
Work-Based Learning Overview
Four documents provide a foundation for creating and implementing high-quality Work-Based Learning activities for NYC high school students.They include the following:
quality work-based learning overview
The Quality Work-Based Learning Overview provides an introduction to the principles of Quality WorkBased Learning and lays the foundation for developing any Work-Based Learning experience. Includes definitional standards for WBL and describes the benefits of participation to students, schools, employers and community.
the work-based learning continuum
The Work-Based Learning Continuum lists a definition of the continuum of Career Awareness, Career Exploration and Career Preparation and the identification of the range of WorkBased Learning activities across the continuum—whether conducted in the classroom, the workplace or community.
work-based learning essential elements
The Work-Based Learning Essential Elements are the essential design elements to be applied to support and enhance the implementation and educational value of any WBL experience.
core employability skills
Core Employability and Academic Literacy Skills: the core employability and academic literacy skills that provide benchmarks for all students to demonstrate through their participation in career-related programs or course of study in New York City Schools. Combined with the necessary academic and occupational skills, demonstration of these skills indicates readiness for work.
Work-Based Learning Activity Guides
The toolkit includes WBL activity implementation guides to help New York City schools and their employer partners design, structure and support effective and learning-rich work-based learning activities for students. Each guide includes an activity fact sheet, checklists for teachers, students and employer partners, as well as a fact sheet for employer decision-makers. A set of sample implementation tools and a fact sheet on virtual WBL options are also provided when appropriate.
Activity Guides are provided for the following activities in this toolkit:
- Guest Speakers
- Career Days
- Career Mentoring
- Workplace Tours
- Informational Interviews
- Job Shadowing
- Mock Interviews
- Workplace Challenges
- Internships
- Work Experiences
Each guide includes:
- WBL activity fact sheet
- Checklists for teachers, students and project partners
- Fact sheet for employer decision-makers
- Required forms
- Sample implementation tools
Additional NYC DOE recognized valid Work-Based Learning activities include
- Onsite Projects
- Career-based Research Projects
- School-based Enterprises
- Supervised Clinical Experience
- Youth Apprenticeship
Employer Participation Options
The toolkit includes a section on participation options to help employer partners select the activities that make the most sense for their organization. It provides direct access to fact sheets and tip sheets designed to assist employers and their volunteers in supporting specific work-based learning activities.
WBL Program Fact Sheets and Tools
A collection of fact sheets and tools to support Work-Based Learning in the NYC schools:
- Universal WBL tools
- Program fact sheets and guides
Options, Tips and Tools for Virtual WBL Activities
Each Activity Guide includes tips and options for conducting virtual versions of the activity.
A special section of the Toolkit is devoted to providing ideas, tools and optional approaches to the provision of virtual Work-Based Learning opportunities and activities to students.
The Fifth Edition
The New York City Work-Based Learning Toolkit was created by New Ways to Work on behalf of the New York City Department of Education. Team members from the New York City Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Readiness and Grant Associates provided extensive review and comment; and contributed content to all drafts of the toolkit. Representatives of six intermediary organizations participating in the department’s CTE Industry Scholars Program reviewed and provided comment on early drafts. Thanks to NAF for the contribution of many of the WBL implementation tools.
The contents of this toolkit draw heavily on WBL Toolkits created by New Ways to Work with the State of California, the Kansas City, Kansas Schools, Earn & Learn East Bay and NYS P-TECH. Additional tools and materials were contributed by NYC DOE CTE programs, Career Smarts, MHA Labs, NAF, NYSED, Career Ready NYC and Innovate Tulare/Kings.
This fifth edition, created in partnership with Grant Associates, includes Virtual Work-Based Learning Options and key updates to reflect the New York State Education Department Work-Based Learning Manual, New York State Career Technical Education regulations and highlights the partnership between the NYC DOE and DYCD for New York City’s Career Ready initiative, in line with the Chancellor’s career pathways vision. This edition also includes content from the CTE WBL Institute as well as updates to NYC DOE Internship policy.
The New York City Work-Based Learning Toolkit
Second Edition: © September 17, All Rights Reserved
Third Edition © June 18, All Rights Reserved
Fourth Edition © January 21, All Rights Reserved
Fifth Edition © April 22, All Rights Reserved
It is the policy of the New York City Department of Education to provide equal educational opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, alienage, citizenship status, disability, sexual orientation, gender (sex) or weight and to maintain an environment free of harassment on the basis of any of these grounds, including sexual harassment or retaliation.
New Ways to Work
New Ways to Work is a consulting, technical assistance, and training organization that helps communities build comprehensive local youth-serving systems, develop new programs and improve practice in the organizations that serve young people. New Ways helps create powerful partnerships among government, education, the community, philanthropy and the private sector to provide young people with the opportunities and support they need to prepare for success in career and life, while helping build the future workforce. New Ways has supported the development of work-based learning and employer engagement systems and strategies across the nation since the 1990s.
www.newwaystowork.org
Grant Associates
Grant Associates is a national, award-winning workforce development company. Since opening our doors in 1997, we have collaborated with government agencies to develop workforce programs and solutions that create the opportunities that advance job seekers, businesses and local economies, all with exceptional results. Grant Associates’ mission is to tailor solutions that build workforce capacity, proving over the past two decades that our approach helps a community reach its true potential. Working under contract with federal, state and local agencies, Grant Associates has served more than 20,000 companies and helped more than 100,000 people define realistic goals, further their education and training, find jobs and embark on new career paths.
www.grantassociatesinc.com
New York City Department of Education
Career and Technical Education
The mission of NYC CTE is to ensure all NYC students graduate college and career ready, and to provide a high-value strategy to support both students’ postsecondary aspirations and the strength of the city’s economy.
The NYC DOE seeks to ensure that all CTE programs meet key program quality indicators outlined through the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) CTE program approval process. Students in CTE programs have opportunities to participate in industry-specific courses, earn industry-recognized certifications, and access work-based learning experiences. CTE graduates also benefit from the added advantage of articulation agreements with postsecondary institutions that provide advanced placement, college credit, tuition waivers, and various job placement opportunities. All CTE programs incorporate Curriculum & Instruction, Work-Based Learning, Industry & Postsecondary Partnerships, and Assessment & Accountability.
https://cte.nyc/web/
NYC Department of Education WBL Toolkit Sources
The contents of this toolkit draw heavily on WBL Toolkits created by New Ways to Work with the State of California, the Kansas City, Kansas Schools, Earn & Learn East Bay, and NYS P-TECH. Additional tools and materials were contributed by Grant Associates, NYC DOE CTE programs, Career Smarts, MHA Labs, NAF, and Innovate Tulare/Kings.
New Ways to Work
The Quality Work-Based Learning Toolkit: California, 1998
Quality Work-Based Learning Toolkit: Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, 2003
Creating Quality Work-Based Learning, 2016, 2018
Earn & Learn East Bay Work-Based Learning Toolset, 2017
Work-Based Learning Toolkit: NYS P-TECH, 2017
Online Practices Guidance
Grant Associates
Career Day Toolkit, with NYC Dept. Education, 2013
Career Fair Tips (for Students)
CTE Industry Scholars Program: Career Days, 2017
CTE Industry Scholars Program: Worksite Tours, 2017
Employer Tour Overview
Interview Quiz, with NYC CTE
Interviewing Skills: How to Have a Successful Interview, with NYC Department of Education
Planning a Career Day Event, with NYC Dept. Education, 2013
Virtual WBL Suggested Standards
Provider Guide: The Workplace Challenge
NYC Department of Education
Career Month Site Coordinator Toolkit, Office of Post-Secondary Readiness, 2017
Elements of an Internship, 2013
Pre-Internship Site Visit Form
Internship Host Application
CTE Internship Application
Internship Timesheet
Internship Mid-Term Worksite Visit Form
WBL Training Plan and Evaluation Tool
WBL Training Plan and Evaluation Tool Guide
Internship Supervisor Handbook
Internship Student Research Activity
Intern Orientation to the Workplace
Internship Student Reflection
CareerReady Work Learn Grow Virtual Internship Industry Partner Guide
Sample High School Intern Positions
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- Architecture and Engineering
- Auto and Transportation
- Business and Finance
- Construction and Sustainability
- Culinary and Hospitality
- IT
- Media, Technology and Design
Learning Objectives
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- Cook Assistant Intern
- Desktop/Computer Support Intern
- Digital Advertising Sales Intern
- Guest Service Agent Intern
- Junior Graphic Designer Intern
- Web Design Intern
- Accounting Intern
- Bus Mechanic Intern
- Carpentry Trainee Intern or Apprentice
- Human Resources Intern
- Logistics and Supply Chain Intern
- Welder Helper Intern
New York State Education Department
NYS ED Work-Based Learning Manual, 2012
Work-Based Learning Hours for CDOS
NYSED Work-Based Learning Program Fact Sheet
NYSED Virtual WBL Updated Guidance
NYSED Virtual Resources for Work-Based Learning
NAF
Career Fair Interest Preparation Activity, 2015
Career Fair Notes, 2015
Career Fair Overview, 2015
Career Fair Planning Timeline, 2015
Career Fair Preparing Students, 2015
Career Fair Student Reflection, 2015
College and Career Readiness Skills, 2015
Finding and Maintaining Paid Internships, 2015
Guest Speaker Overview, 2015
Guide to Career Days, Innovate Tulare-Kings, Adapted from WBL Resources, Regional School Districts Resources, and “Launch Path: Playbook” Developed by Linked Learning Alliance & Foundation for California Community Colleges, 2016.
Guide to Internships, Innovate Tulare-Kings, Adapted from WBL Resources, Regional School Districts Resources, and “Launch Path: Playbook” Developed by Linked Learning Alliance & Foundation for California Community Colleges, 2016.
Guide to Worksite Tours, Innovate Tulare-Kings, Adapted from WBL Resources, Regional School Districts Resources, and “Launch Path: Playbook” Developed by Linked Learning Alliance & Foundation for California Community Colleges, 2016.
High Quality Paid Internships, 2015
How to Write a Resume, 2015
Informational Interview Overview, 2015
Intern Orientation Icebreaker, 2015
Intern Orientation to the Workplace, 2015
Intern Weekly Check-In Meeting, 2015
Internship Employer Profile, 2015
Internship Planning Timeline, 2015
Internship Preparing Students, 2015
Internship Reservation Form, 2015
Internship Student Agreement, 2015
Internship Student Interest Form, 2015
Internship Student Reflection, 2015
Internship Student Research Activity, 2015
Internship Work and Learning Plan, 2015
Job Shadow Overview, 2015
Mock Interview Application, 2015
Mock Interview Overview, 2015
Mock Interview Planning Timeline, 2015
Mock Interview Professional Dress Guidelines, 2015
Mock Interview Questions, 2015
Mock Interview Rating Sheet, 2015
Mock Interview Sample Job Description, 2015
Mock Interview Student Preparation and Tips, 2015
Mock Interview-Student Reflection, 2015
Mock Interview Student Resume and Cover Letter, 2015
Preparing Students for a Mock Interview, 2015
Student Internship Consent Form, 2015
Sub-BA Business & Finance Jobs in New York City: A Deeper Dive, Labor Market Information Service,
Work-Based Learning Evaluation – Business Partner, 2015
Work-Based Learning Evaluation – Student, 2015
Worksite Tour Checklist and Tips, 2015
Worksite Tour Host Checklist and Tips, 2015
Worksite Tour Host Profile, 2015
Worksite Tour Overview, 2015
Worksite Tour Planning Outline, 2015
Worksite Tour Preparing Students, 2015
Worksite Tour Research Activity, 2015
Worksite Tour Sample Agenda, 2015
Worksite Tour Student Guidelines, 2015
Worksite Tour Registration & Permission Form, 2015
Worksite Tour Student Reflection, 2015
New York City Labor Market Information Service, CUNY Graduate Center
Automotive and Transportation in NYC, 2017
Business & Finance Jobs in NYC, 2017
Construction & Sustainability, Architecture, Engineering & Robotics in NYC, 2017
Culinary, Hospitality & Tourism in NYC, 2017
Culinary, Hospitality & Tourism Jobs in New York City: A Deeper Dive
Information Technology in NYC, 2017
Information Technology Jobs in New York City: A Deeper Dive
Media, Design and Technology in NYC, 2017
Media, Technology & Design Jobs in New York City: A Deeper Dive
Others
Career Day Planning Guide, Career Services Division, Oklahoma Department of Vocational and Technical Education, August 2015
How to Conduct a Mock Interview, web.stanford.edu
Intern Weekly Journal, Young & Rubicon
Job Interview Questions and Answers, thebalance.com
Job listings, greenkeyllc.com, 2017
Job listings, indeed.com, 2017
Job listings, rfcuny.org, 2017
Legal Guide to Labor Laws and Safety, CareerSmarts, 2013
MHA Labs Skill Building Blocks, http://mhalabs.org/skill-building-blocks/.
Mock Interview, everydayinterviewtips.com