Work-Based Learning Activities
Education for all students should be relevant and provide appropriate transitions to future careers and lifelong learning. Students can and should learn to apply their knowledge and skills to real life, real work, and real-world situations, both predictable and unpredictable.
The Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA) highlights work-based learning experiences supporting school-to-work opportunities, especially for students in grades 7-12 and into postsecondary education.
South Carolina's work-based learning opportunities are administered by regional career specialists; school district and school-level career specialists; and Perkins IV, Title I alliances. The efforts of these individuals and entities are aligned with the state's 12 Workforce Investment Act (WIA) regions.
Work-based learning opportunities in combination with identified career and technology education curricula support strong secondary and postsecondary education opportunities to prepare students for mid- and high-level technology careers in the 21stcentury. Students completing a strong academic and technical program will be well prepared to enter full-time employment or pursue postsecondary education options.
Work-Based Learning Components
- Applied Academic Courses
- Involvement of Business and Industry
- Occupational Specialty Programs
- Comprehensive Career Guidance Plan
- Staff Development for Instructors, Counseling Staff, and Administrators
- Entrepreneurship Education
- Articulation Between and Among Education Systems in Support of a Seamless Pathway Promoting Transition from Secondary to Postsecondary Educational Experiences or the Workforce
- Integration of Academic and Career and Technology Education
- Competency-based Instruction
- Parental Involvement
Work-Based Learning Information for Educators
Embracing the benefits of work-based learning enables you to offer a total educational experience to each student you serve, whether the student is listening to a guest speaker from the law enforcement profession in the third grade, touring a high-tech manufacturing operation at a local business as a sophomore in high school, or studying environmental legislation and its impact on business and industry operations as a junior in college. As students become aware of career options, explore career opportunities, and plan for postsecondary educational and career experiences, they make choices relative to course work, especially in middle school, high school, and in postsecondary educational settings that must be supported by administrators, teachers, and counselors who communicate regularly with students and parents about the "next steps" in career planning and preparation. Supporting work-based learning experiences enables you to address the needs of all students.
Work-Based Learning activities support the educational experiences of every child, including the special interests and learning styles of a segment of any student population that learns best in a "hands-on" educational environment. The rigor and relevance of the courses offered in support of career and technology education are critical to the preparation of students with skills that have led them to an interest in skills-specific, technical careers. As your students leave your educational experience and enter the workforce or continue their education, you are challenged to offer a seamless transition to career-wise and academically prepared students relative to their abilities, interests, and career goals. Work-based learning activities support the achievement of those challenges.
Work-Based Learning Information for Parents
The role of parents as catalysts in the process of helping students make good secondary and postsecondary educational decisions and career choices is, perhaps, more critical than ever before. Students need guidance and support in making decisions at a time when there are literally thousands of careers from which to choose. The insight that you have about your child's interests, abilities, motivation, and goals is critical information that should be discussed with him/her, shared with school guidance personnel, incorporated into the career plan, assessed often, and used to assist the student in making decisions about academic planning and preparation in order to attain well-conceived career goals.
Questions about how Work-Based Learning activities might assist career exploration in the middle grades, and career preparation in high school should be addressed to your child's guidance professionals. Should your child express an interest in technically oriented careers and learn best in a "hands-on" educational environment, you should discuss applied academic course offerings in math, and science with your child's guidance counselor. Career-technical curricula provide opportunities for students to prepare themselves for technical careers and other postsecondary educational experiences in technical colleges and four-year colleges as they are taught rigorous content within the context of applying content in "hands-on" learning experiences.
Involvement in your child's educational experiences is important from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Career decisions are made and revised throughout the elementary, middle, and secondary school experiences. Making the right decisions can save time and money as well as help lead to a fulfilling lifelong career in a world with so many career options.
Work-Based Learning Information for Students
Your educational programs and experience are enhanced through participation in Work-Based Learning activities. No matter what your career goals might be and regardless of the skills and talents you possess, you should participate in activities that enhance the likelihood that you will make well-informed career choices. Participation in Work-Based Learning activities inside and outside the classroom will help you make choices about careers that include careful consideration of your abilities. If your learning style is reinforced by "hands-on," applied instructional techniques, you should consider careers and course work that will enable you to maximize your potential. Applied academics courses and career-technical curricula offer challenging course content that is delivered to you in such a way as to have you perform learning exercises that involve active, hands-on learning experiences. You can become involved in Work-Based Learning activities in the early elementary grades. Typically, applied academic instruction associated with career-technical education is offered beginning in the ninth grade.
SC Work-Based Learning Resources
2025-26 Work Based Learning Implementation Guidelines (1,521KB Word 9/22/25)
SC Virtual Career Guidance WBL Tool Kit (PDF 9/4/2020)
SC Regional Career Specialist Roster (PDF 11/20/2025)
