Case study in New Jersey on perceptions and concerns during COVID-19: Lessons for safety and health during future work-based learning

Background: The New Jersey Safe Schools Program provides training courses to secondary school educational professionals to supervise students in work-based learning. COVID-19 suspended in-person training courses and work-based learning. As worksites reopened, concerns persisted regarding implementation of work-based learning, and safety and health. After site visits, participants completed reflection assignments. Methods: We examined statewide data from a three-day training, "Designing and Implementing Student Training Plans," from 61 participants in spring-summer 2020 regarding concerns for work-based learning during COVID-19. Qualitative analysis on open-ended responses determined emerging themes through inductive, qualitative coding in Microsoft Office spreadsheet software, Excel, followed by import of a spreadsheet-based code book to NVivo, a qualitative data analysis software tool. Results: Data revealed supervisor perspectives pertaining to re-establishing work-based learning programs (33%), COVID-19 safety and reopening measures (24%), student safety and health (17%), obstacles for in-person work-based learning (9%), future work-based learning placements (7%), and online work-based learning opportunities (4%). Conclusion: Data suggested adaptations for future in-person work-based learning experiences; future online student work placements and safety and health trainings; and insights on improving in-school learning and occupational education for students.