Program Description
Career Connections is a program area designed to help students prepare for careers and continuing education in a challenging and rapidly changing workplace. These courses provide connecting links for students in pursuit of career development and related career information resources. Students explore pathways, program models, or processes that point the way to career goals.
Work-based Learning
Cooperative Education (Co-op) and Internships are high-quality work-based learning experiences for juniors and seniors that place the student in a workplace environment. This placement allows the student to develop and practice knowledge and skills for a specific career field related to the student’s career interests, abilities, and goals. Co-op is a paid work-based learning experience while internships may be paid or unpaid. Co-op and internships are connected to classroom learning and are guided by a formal, written training plan that defines specific academic, technical, and workplace skills to be mastered. Applications may be obtained from a school counselor or a CTE teacher.
On-the-job hours required to earn credit through cooperative education or internship are as follows:
140 hours = .5 credit
280 hours = 1 credit
Job shadowing is a short-term experience available as a part of Career and Technical Education courses through an application process. Juniors and seniors who are currently enrolled in CTE courses or who have completed a coherent sequence of CTE courses are eligible. The application process includes student narrative and teacher recommendation. Students participating in this work-based learning experience are required to complete a reflective exercise.
Credentialing
The High School Industry Credentialing initiative encourages students to work toward a selected industry credential or state license while pursuing a high school diploma. The Virginia Department of Education evaluates on an on-going basis industry credentials against prescribed criteria for graduation requirements for the Standard Diploma (8VAC20-131-50.B) and student-selected verified credit (8VAC20-131-110.C). Credentialing exams are available to any student taking a Career and Technical Education course.
