Benefits and Impact

Work-based Learning

Training Options

Benefits and Impact

Legal Requirements

Resources

Students, employers, schools, parents and guardians all benefit from work-based learning. The benefits for each group are listed below:

Benefits to Students

Improve academic achievement
Realize the relevance of their education and apply acquired knowledge in a meaningful way
Explore career options
Increase self-confidence
Acquire real workplace experience and work readiness skills
Connect with an adult role model
Expand opportunities

Benefits to Parents and Guardians

Become partners in the education of their young person
Collaborate with others assisting their young person to make informed career choices

Benefits to Schools

Improve academic achievement by participating students
Improve student motivation resulting in better attendance and graduation rates
Improve relationships with the community

Benefits to Employers

Better prepared employees who understand workplace expectations
Reduce recruitment and training costs
Derive value from student's work
Improve morale and management skills of current workers

Impact of Work-based Learning

The impact of School-to-Work has produced positive results. In December of 2002, Phi Delta Kappan journal reported, "Research indicates that participation in School-to-Work can improve high school students' attendance, grades, and graduation rates. School-to-Work students are just as likely to attend college as comparison-group students and in some cases even more likely. School-to-Work also contributes significantly to students' career preparation, though exploration activities and work-based learning experiences. Participation in school-to-work yields benefits for young people by fostering planful behavior, maturation, self-confidence, and an understanding of the importance of school."

Work-based Learning in Minnesota

The number of students participating in work-based learning activities increased dramatically from 1997 to 2001. The number of schools involved in job shadowing and worksite field trips increased from 190 to 339. Student participation increased 75% from 31,562 to 55,280. Paid and non-paid work experiences at the high school level increased over 100% from 5,235 to 10,988 participants.

Source: U.S. Office of Technology; Phi Delta Kappan (December 2002); Connecting Youth to Work-Based Learning and the Accomplishment Survey on Performance Indicators - Minnesota's School-to-Work Initiative, Minnesota Department of Education.
Page last updated in August 2008.