Murray, NEB- Conestoga has started a new program that benefits students for their future career. Work-Based Learning is a new initiative that the state of Nebraska has used to provide students with the experiences and an opportunity to learn more about their career interests outside of the classroom. The coordinator, Jeffery Brokaw, was able to provide further information on the program.
This is the first full year of Work-Based Learning at Conestoga, last year the school test piloted it on a few seniors. The school looked at how to best meet the needs of students and with the help of Brokaw’s Work-Based Learning endorsement, the school decided to create Brokaw’s Coordinator position over the last couple of years. “We took bits and pieces from what other schools around the state do for Work-Based Learning and crafted our program,” states Brokaw.
Work-Based Learning was put in place by Nebraska to provide students with experiences in business and industry that deliver learning opportunities outside of the usual classroom setting. Students also get school credit to work in a field of their interest. Brokaw works with those students to ensure their work placement, logging hours worked, and other complimentary assignments on their work placement. “My schedule is a bit more flexible than previous years which allows me to organize job site visits with local companies so students can get out of the classroom and onto job sites to see careers,” Brokaw informs.
This year, so far, has been full of Work-Based Learning experiences at Conestoga. There are currently students who are working in construction, farming, and automotive industries. At the high school, students have been helping teachers such as the Activities Director as well as teachers at the elementary school. Additionally, Brokaw has been able to take students to construction sites, physical therapy centers, and scratch kitchens. The students have also been involved in Southeast Community College Careers in Construction Day. “This week and next week, students will be visiting a culinary and hospitality program as well as a trucking and diesel tech job site,” Brokaw shares.
The new Work-Based Learning program at Conestoga has been able to provide students with the chance to further interest in their choice of a career, thanks to Brokaw.There are many more opportunities for Work-Based Learning in the future! “Seeing kids interact with professionals and experience different careers makes it all worth it and I look forward to all the other opportunities Conestoga students will get to experience in the future,” Brokaw says.
