Work-Based Learning in the United States

In the United States, as in other nations, work-based learning is a key strategy for preparing young people for careers. U.S. secondary schools offer career and technical education (CTE) programs that aim to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies that young people need to obtain meaningful work. CTE programs support academic attainment and the development of transferable skills, such as teamwork and collaboration skills. New standards also stress “college and career readiness.” However, there is evidence that the U.S. lags behind other developed nations in providing work-based learning experiences that could signal readiness for employment. Thus, introducing young people to the workforce or preparing them for the world of work, before they leave secondary school, is a critical endeavor. In this chapter, the authors highlight exemplary work-based learning models in secondary schools in the United States. The goal of the chapter is to provide rich descriptions of work-based learning models that integrate academics with career preparation, and that thereby provide meaningful and purposeful introductions to working life.