Business – K-12 Work-Based Learning

Work-based learning (WBL) allows high school students to participate in meaningful work related to their anticipated career pathway(s).  While individuals are still in high school, they receive school credit and real-world job experience.  WBL Coordinators are teachers at high schools who help students navigate their unique journey.  Students are utilizing an electronic platform called Xello to research career pathways and connect them to WBL opportunities offered by businesses in the community.

Introduction to Stefanie Merrell, K-12 Work-Based Learning Business Liaison:

 

Stefanie Merrell   K-12 Work-Based Learning Business Liasion                                          

Introduction to Stefanie Merrell:

Stefanie’s work is funded through a Larimer County Workforce Innovation Grant from the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce.  She works alongside Colorado Early College Fort Collins, Poudre, Thompson, and Estes Park School Districts.

Work-based learning (WBL) allows high school students to participate in meaningful work related to their anticipated career pathway(s).  While individuals are still in high school, they receive school credit and real-world job experience.  WBL Coordinators are teachers at high schools who help students navigate their unique journey.  Students utilize an electronic platform, Xello,  to research career pathways and connect them to WBL opportunities offered by businesses in the community.

Stefanie’s position is unique because it sits on the business side of work-based learning. Throughout her role, she connects with businesses that can benefit from the local work-ready students and explains WBL’s benefits. If it’s a suitable fit, businesses are onboarded into the Xello platform so the business can post their jobs (paid part-time, internships, apprenticeships) to students. In addition, Stefanie works with high school WBL Coordinators to identify student interests so that she can reach out to businesses to assist with internships.

 

Contact Stefanie for more information on Xello or how your business can connect to our local K-12 students for work-based learning opportunities.

 

The Workforce Innovation Grant is a collaboration between the Colorado Workforce Development Council, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Larimer County, Larimer County Workforce Development Board, and Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development.
The NOCO Collaborative K-12 Work-based Learning Grant is being 100 percent funded in the amount of $150,000 by federal award number SLFRF0126, awarded to the State of Colorado by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.