Work-Based Learning Opportunities

At the Spokane Skills Center, the following types of Workbased Learning may be available. Ask your instructor.

Structured Field Trip:  Specially planned field trips provide opportunities for groups of students to explore different workplaces. When students are well-prepared before-hand, they ask probing questions about workers' backgrounds and interests, in addition to questions about the product or service provided and the knowledge and skills required to do the job. Classroom exercises conducted prior to and following the field trip help students connect their experience to their coursework, career pathways, related skills requirements, and future educational options.    

Cooperative Worksite Learning (Co-op): Provides a planned alternating or parallel of classroom study and supervised employment that includes a written learning agreement between the educational institution, student and employer. This experience is related to the student's classroom study, educational, or career goals. This comprehensive instructional approach is usually paid and the student is eligible to earn high school credit for it as well. These experiences can serve as a means of integrating the student's total academic experience with a realistic application in the employment arena at the end of their educational program. Because of child labor laws, students must be 16 years of age to be involved in cooperative work experience.  

Clinical Experience:  Either a paid or unpaid Worksite Learning Experience that is an integral component of a state-approved Career and Technical Education health care training program or state-certified nursing training program in which the student obtains job-related experience to develop program competencies, qualification, and/or certification.  This learning experience usually occurs during the regular school day.  

Apprenticeship: A formal educational process that combines on-the-job training, work experience and classroom instruction, and leads to mastery of a vocational skill. The actual apprenticeship is a paid work experience with clearly defined goals and standards. Students need a high level of maturity, independence and good judgment. All apprentices must be trained under the standards approved by the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council and each individual must be registered with the Apprenticeship division of the department of Labor and Industries. A Pre-Apprenticeship provides classroom instruction and skills training that allow students the opportunity to enter an approved apprenticeship at an advanced level.