OFFERING STUDENT EXPERIENCES
A GUIDE FOR BUSINESS PARTNERS:
HIRING STUDENTS
Are you hiring? Consider developing a role that can be filled by one of our students!
Students who have participated in the Academy career pathways and are nearing graduation are looking for their next opportunity after high school. Through their time within their career pathway, they have been given the skills and knowledge needed to start their career after graduation. Consider hiring students for one or more of the following short-term work experiences:
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Cooperative education (co-op) is a method of instruction where technical classroom instruction is combined with paid employment that is directly related to classroom instruction. The cooperative method of instruction provides students enrolled in career and technical courses an opportunity to extend their employment preparation beyond the classroom. The two experiences must be planned and supervised by the school and the employer so that each contributes to the student's career objective/major and employability.
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An internship is a work-based learning experience where a student participates in the daily operations of a work site under the direct supervision of a supervisor or business mentor. The internship provides a realistic environment within which a student intern learns about a particular industry or occupation and applies knowledge and skills learned in the classroom. The work experience should contribute to the student's career pathway helping the student to narrow their career choices. Internships can be paid or unpaid and can be compensated in various manners.
All employers hosting internships can find information on the JCPS Work-Based Learning Site here.
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Apprenticeship is a system of skilled occupational training that combines practical work experiences with related academic and technical instruction. An apprentice works on the job for an employer and is taught and supervised by an experienced person in the chosen occupation. The preplanned, progressively challenging work-based learning experience usually extends two to four years.
See more information from KDE on Youth Apprenticeship Progarms.
Help students to develop essential employability skills so they can thrive in a career while creating awareness of and exposure to your industry.
Encourage students to stay in their community and allows business partners to develop more robust talent pipelines.
Boost job retention, productivity and motivation of your current employees and cultivate diversity in your workforce.
WHAT IS A CO-OP?
Cooperative (Co-op) Education is a paid work-based learning experience consisting of in-school Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program instruction via program coursework combined with related on-the-job work experience in a connected business or industrial establishment.
GETTING STARTED
EMPLOYER REQUIREMENTS (see more on this guide)
Starting the hiring process:
Complete Employer Registration through JCPS JobReady WBL. This web-based platform will support the employer and JCPS in the onboarding process, will ensure employment opportunities and student experiences reach all relevant student populations.
Complete this form to verify to JCPS that all supervising employees have completed a criminal background check.
Complete this WBL Plan & Agreement which outlines responsibilities of the employer and of JCPS.
Review this guide for hiring students, and post your open positions on the JCPS JobReady Platform!
Once a student is hired for the co-op:
Identify a point-of-contact person (Worksite Supervisor) to be the lead for the student to report to and to be the main point person for correspondence from JCPS.
Take an active part in the training and supervision of the student while providing instruction in accordance with the WBL Plan & Agreement.
Abide by all JCPS District policies and procedures for Work-Based Learning.
During the co-op:
Abide by all state and federal labor laws, including laws regarding wages and hours of minors and student learners
Provide safety training as required by OSHA.
Provide close supervision by an experienced and qualified person to avoid subjecting the student to unnecessary or unusual hazards.
Give the same consideration to the student as given to other employees in regard to safety, health, general employment conditions and other regulations of the business.
Communication with JCPS:
Maintain communication with JCPS staff.
Assist the teacher/coordinator in the evaluation of the student’s performance on the job by completing the necessary evaluation forms, when required.
Allow site visits to review the site and student performance (typically every 45-60 days).
STUDENT REQUIREMENTS
To participate in Co-op, a student shall:
Be at least sixteen (16) years of age.
Have gained sufficient knowledge and skills for success.
Have completed the basic career and technical skill prerequisites required by the CTE Program (Concentrator Status).
Be enrolled in a pathway course within the same academic year or completed pathway by the conclusion of the student's junior year.
WHAT IS AN INTERNSHIP?
An internship is a work-based learning experience where a student participates in the daily operations of a work site under the direct supervision of a supervisor or business mentor. The internship provides a realistic environment within which a student intern learns about a particular industry or occupation and applies knowledge and skills learned in the classroom.
GETTING STARTED
EMPLOYER REQUIREMENTS (see more on this guide)
Starting the hiring process:
Complete Employer Registration through JCPS JobReady WBL. This web-based platform will support the employer and JCPS in the onboarding process, will ensure employment opportunities and student experiences reach all relevant student populations.
Complete this form to verify to JCPS that all supervising employees have completed a criminal background check.
Complete this WBL Plan & Agreement which outlines responsibilities of the employer and of JCPS.
Review this guide for hiring students, and post your open positions on the JCPS JobReady Platform!
Once a student is hired for the internship:
Identify a point-of-contact person (Worksite Supervisor) to be the lead for the student to report to and to be the main point person for correspondence from JCPS.
Take an active part in the training and supervision of the student while providing instruction in accordance with the WBL Plan & Agreement.
Abide by all JCPS District policies and procedures for Work-Based Learning.
During the internship:
Abide by all state and federal labor laws, including laws regarding wages and hours of minors and student learners
Provide safety training as required by OSHA.
Provide close supervision by an experienced and qualified person to avoid subjecting the student to unnecessary or unusual hazards.
Give the same consideration to the student as given to other employees in regard to safety, health, general employment conditions and other regulations of the business.
Communication with JCPS:
Maintain communication with JCPS staff.
Assist the teacher/coordinator in the evaluation of the student’s performance on the job by completing the necessary evaluation forms, when required.
Allow site visits to review the site and student performance (typically every 45-60 days).
STUDENT REQUIREMENTS
To participate in Co-op, a student shall:
Have gained sufficient knowledge and skills for success.
Have completed the basic career and technical skill prerequisites required by the type of Internship.
For CTE Internships, students must have 2 credits on transcript from their CTE pathway.
WHERE SHOULD I POST OPEN POSITIONS?
HIRE YOUTH FOR PART-TIME POSITIONS
KentuckianaEarns is the only platform in Greater Louisville that connects job seekers 16-21 to employers who are looking for young talent to fill their employment needs. This tool provides an employer showcase where companies can highlight their opportunities, workplace culture and media, along with access to a plethora of job seeker resources for prospective employees.
HIRE YOUTH FOR SUMMER POSITIONS
SummerWorks develops Louisville’s young talent by helping prepare and connect youth to summer jobs, career opportunities, and supportive networks. And, the success shows! Since this program started in 2011, more than 90% of employers who hire young adults through SummerWorks report that they would recommend it to other organizations - and plan on hiring again next summer.
HIRE YOUTH FOR WORK-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Jobready is the official WBL platform for Jefferson County Public Schools. Employer Partners will complete all required WBL forms through this platform to hire students for co-op programs and internships. Click the link below to learn more about creating these programs and working with our schools!
SIGN-UP TO BE NOTIFIED ABOUT CAREER FAIRS
JCPS regularly hosts career and job fairs to connect high school students with local employers. We are always seeking businesses and organizations interested in participating in these events. If your company would like to be notified about upcoming opportunities to engage with students, please complete this form.
POST YOUR OPEN POSITIONS ON THE LARGEST LOUISVILLE JOB BOARD
Live in Lou, an initiative of Greater Louisville Inc., is home to Louisville’s largest local-only job board! This platform is free for employers to post open positions, is promoted via Live in Lou’s social media channels and is hosted on the highly-visited website.
More ways to engage with students:
