One of the pressing needs in our school districts in Northeast Ohio is to provide more work-based learning opportunities for our students to gain an understanding of and participate in experiences in a real world setting that they can’t obtain in a classroom setting. Career readiness activities which include work-based learning opportunities such as guest speakers, mock interviews, job shadowing, internships, and mentorships help all students whether they plan to go to college before they begin their career or if they plan to head directly to the world of work. Such experiences provide opportunities for students to explore various careers, strengthen occupational and life competencies, develop a network of contacts, and practice transferable skills that lead to securing and retaining a job that will propel them into a career that is a great fit for their interests, passions and skill set. These experiences also allow another avenue for students to meet the new graduation requirements.
The Northeast Ohio Career Readiness Leaders Network and the First Ring Career Readiness Task Force have worked collaboratively to create a Career Readiness Toolkit to support school districts in Ohio. In the First Ring school districts one of our goals is to create common structure, forms, and processes in which this Toolkit will help take a huge step to fulfill that goal. The Toolkit was designed to aid teachers, counselors and community partners giving them templates, lessons and ideas to support work-based learning. In addition the Toolkit contains resources, connections to Ohio’s Academic and SEL standards as well as assessment links for students who need more support to meet their goals on their graduation plan. Lastly, we added a section to aid in supporting students who are participating in remote work-based learning opportunities to help them learn the appropriate etiquette for virtual meetings. The Toolkit will be a fluid document that will have modifications and additions as we acquire new resources and ideas to share.