- The New York State Department of Education maintains a Work-Based Learning Manual. The work-based learning manual establishes the policies and guidelines for operating work-based learning activities in New York State in compliance with the Department of Labor regulations.
- Work Experience Coordinator’s Association of New York State (WECA)
Work-Based Learning
Work-based learning (WBL) is a progressive, multi-year sequence of instructional activities, within a real-world, work-related context, that allows students to build a bridge from adolescent roles in the classroom to adult roles in professional settings.
For additional information regarding work-based learning please visit the Work-Based Learning Toolkit.
Work-Based Learning
Yes, all NYCDOE CTE programs of study are required to have a certified work-based learning coordinator, who is CTE certified and who holds the Coordinator of Work-based Learning Programs for Career Development Extension. This is required because all NYSED approved CTE programs are required to provide access to off-site learning opportunities. The NYCDOE maintains this requirement to ensure the safety and protection of the student and employer. The work-based learning coordinator ensures students are supervised while on site and have been prepared with training in workplace safety in accordance with the Department of Labor regulations. WBL coordinators also make sure that employers are in compliance with the laws governing the employment of minors.
Extension certificates authorize the holder to teach a subject in additional grade levels or in the case of CTE programs to supervise work-based learning experiences. Extensions certificates are attached to appropriate valid base certifications. In CTE instruction the WBL extension certificates are for the coordination and supervision of the different types of work-based learning experiences (Career Awareness and Career Development)
While any New York state certified teacher may take the coursework to become a work-based learning coordinator there are two different extension certifications. Each extension aligns to the type of WBL experiences which may be coordinated under that certificate.
8981 Coordinator of Work-based Learning Programs Career Awareness Extension
- Certificate for a secondary level certified teacher and/or guidance counselor
- Coordinator must have 300 hours of work outside of classroom teaching
- Programs qualified to coordinate: GEWEP, WECEP, CBVEP
- General Education Work Experience (GEWEP)
- Work Experience and Career Exploration Program (for at risk students) (WECEP)
- Community-Based Work Programs (for students with disabilities)
8982 Coordinator of Work-based Learning Programs for Career Development Extension
- Coordinator must possess a NYSED certification for Career and Technical Education
- Coordinator must have 600 hours of work outside of classroom teaching
- Programs qualified to coordinate: CEIP, CO-OP, SWAP and GEWEP, WECEP, CBVEP
- Career Exploration Internship Program (CEIP)
- General Education Work Experience Program (GEWEP)
- Work Experience and Career Exploration Program (for at risk students) (WECEP)
- Career and Technical Education Cooperative Work Experience Program (CO-OP)
The Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Programs Career Awareness extension is limited to the supervision of non-registered work-based learning options such as: Community-Based work programs (for students with disabilities), job shadowing, community service/volunteering, service learning, senior projects, and school-based enterprise. These activities are provided at the school location and do not require the extension certificate. It should be noted that these WBL options also apply to the CDOS credential.
CTE programs applying for approval are required to have a certified work-based learning coordinator who holds the coordinator of Work-based Learning Programs for Career Development Extension. While other staff may assist in the implementation of the work-based learning activities the Career Development Extension is required to oversee the WBL program and ensure all activities are conducted in compliance with child labor laws.
The WBL coordinator responsible for providing WBL experience for all students may work together with special education teachers to meet the needs of students with disabilities. The transition program and planning process for students with disabilities involves career planning and participation in work-based learning programs which under New York State regulations begins for each student with an IEP at the age of 15, or younger if appropriate.
New York City College of Technology (summer courses)
Buffalo State College (online courses)
Hofstra University
SUNY Oswego
The work-based learning coordinator extension certificates serve to extend the base certificate held by the teacher. In NYCDOE, a teacher must hold an Initial or Professional certificate in order to apply directly for the WBL Coordinator Extension certificates through the New York State Office of Teaching Initiatives. For teachers who hold a Transitional A certificate, the extension certificate will match the type of certificate held. The extension title will progress as the base certificate progresses from Transitional A to Initial, and Initial to Professional. In the NYCDOE, the WBL Coordinator extension is not a teacher of record title and does not have a corresponding city license title and therefore no School District Recommendation is provided and any applications under this title will not be completed through your HR Director. In order for an already certified teacher to apply for the WBL extension certificate directly an Initial or Professional certificate must be held. Additionally, documentation must be provided to verify of a minimum of 300 or 600 clock hours of work experience outside of the classroom.
New York State formally recognizes work-based learning programs through a registration process.
Registration is required for CTE programs in hazardous occupations as well as the following types of WBL state approved programs:
- Career Exploration Internship Program (CEIP)
- General Education Work Experience Program (GEWEP)
- Work Experience and Career Exploration Program (for at risk students)
- Career and Technical Education Cooperative Work Experience Program (CO-OP)
For more information regarding these registered programs please visit the NYSED Work-Based Learning Manual.
There is no set number or percentage of student participation in internships required by the NYSED to earn CTE program approval. The CTE program of study must provide students with access to internship opportunities within the program’s career area.
The New York State Work-Based Learning Manual outlines the various types of registered work-based learning programs where credit may be earned through the combination of work experience and coursework.
Please visit the NYCDOE Academic Policy FAQ for Off-Site Courses: Internships and Service Learning for additional information in assigning credit for internships.
CTE programs of study must keep records of student data regarding work-based learning experiences offered throughout the program of study. All experiences should be catalogued using the following data points: Type of activity, duration in length of time (hours), number of students and student names who participated, paid/unpaid, and whether or not the work-based learning is credit bearing.
The work-skills employability profile is intended to be used throughout the duration of the CTE program of study. The profile is to be used to validate students learning and skill acquisition in both the technical and employability skills relevant to the scope and sequence of the program.
Lessons Learned:
- For meaningful reflection students may also be asked to self-assess their work at least twice a year and throughout their coursework in the program sequence.
- Where possible, digital versions of employability skills profiles may be kept and shared between teachers as students move from one grade level to the next.
- Schools using Naviance and other online systems may make use of existing system architecture to collect student information so that it may be used when students apply for college, develop their resumes and/or prepare for job interviews.
