‭ ylie Krause‬

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‭Matt Kriefels‬
‭ALEC 234‬
‭9 Mar. 2023‬
‭Work-Based Learning Legal and Safety Plan‬
‭What is Worked-Based Learning‬
‭Work-Based Learning (WBL) is hands-on learning of which provides students an‬
‭opportunity to learn outside the traditional classroom. It allows for the development of‬
‭career-based skills and experience of which they can carry into their future. This style of‬
‭learning allows for students to develop problem solving skills, have to think outside of the box,‬
‭and learn about their strengths and weaknesses pertaining to a specific area. In addition to this,‬
‭WBL lets students explore different interests they may have about potential future careers, the‬
‭education needed for these careers, and if this is the right fit for them. There are numerous‬
‭different ways students can receive WBL including, apprenticeships, internships, student-led‬
‭enterprises, workplace stimulations, and other opportunities in nonprofits too.‬
‭Through Career and Technical Education (CTE), Work-Based Learning plays a key part‬
‭in students’ learning as it encourages the practice of career readiness and technical skills vital‬
‭for entering the career of their choice. The Nebraska Career and Technical Education states its‬
‭vision of creating “relevant learning opportunities that engage each student in high-quality,‬
‭rigorous education. These opportunities will be enhanced by partnerships with business and‬
‭industry, workforce, and economic development leaders, allowing learners to turn their passion,‬
‭talents, and strengths into successful careers and fulfilling lives.” Giving students an opportunity‬
‭for workforce experience of which they may not have had the opportunity for without WBL.‬
‭WBL is crucial for all students to receive a well-rounded education to see all sides of the‬
‭workforce including safety and regulations associated within the experience. Allowing for safety‬
‭to become a priority while receiving knowledge about the career of their choosing.‬

‭Steps to Ensure Student Safety‬

‭There are many steps to ensuring a student’s safety especially in WBL. First step is to‬
‭make sure the student is aware that there are multiple different career pathways. With this they‬
‭need to figure out which pathway is best for their skillsets and what interests them the most.‬
‭This could mean taking a career quiz, attending a career fair, exploring different career-based‬
‭videos, talking with an industry professional or guest speaker, a career research project, or even‬
‭attending a lunch and learn session. With this, the student needs to recognize their Awareness‬
‭Strategies through activities conducted outside the classroom. Including focusing on developing‬
‭career readiness skills, enhancing awareness of their career options, reaching out to connect‬
‭with local and area businesses, and preparing student with hands-on experiences. These areas‬
‭of awareness are covered by business tours, field trips, job shadows, mentorships, simulations,‬
‭and summer experiences. Lastly, the final step to initial preparation of safety after the student‬
‭has become aware of the career pathways and exploration strategies would be to make sure I‬
‭as the educator know and understand my roles as a Work-Based Learning Coordinator. These‬
‭roles include program planning, development, and evaluation, related-class instruction, on-the‬
‭job instruction and coordination, guidance and advising, program administration, management,‬
‭and evaluation, and community and public relations.‬
 ‭ he first initial step to student safety after preparation would be ensuring safety with‬
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‭employers. Aligning students with reliable employers is crucial in student safety. When looking‬
‭for safe and dependable employers and agencies to work with the students an application is‬
‭helpful for meeting the criteria to hire students for WBL. After this process has been completed,‬
‭the next step would be to teach students about the basics of general safety on the job site. This‬
‭includes the six core components of young worker which are injuries, finding hazards, making‬
‭the job safer, emergencies at work, knowing you rights and responsibilities, and taking action.‬
‭These six core components may also provide a great learning experience of which could be an‬
‭extension or deeper review for students on safety in the workplace. Once safety has been‬
‭instilled in the students and the agencies applications have been approved by the WBL‬
‭Coordinator and potentially school administration, the students can then begin the application‬
‭and interview process ensuring they are fit for the position of which they are applying.‬

‭Steps to address liability by the school and employers‬

‭Liability issues are present for the school and worksite alike when students engage in‬
‭WBL. School administration needs to be comfortable with WBL and the liability requirements‬
‭from the state and national level that go along with this such as activities prohibited under Child‬
‭Labor Laws which can be found‬‭here‬‭. The Nebraska Child‬‭Labor Laws 2023 states, “levels exist‬
‭to prevent the exploitation of minors for labor and ensure that education is prioritized over work.‬
‭Limitations on child labor vary by age and may include restrictions on the types of work that can‬
‭be done, maximum hours that may be worked, and limitations on late or overnight work.” Tying‬
‭this back to liability it is to protect students and young workers a like from performing work which‬
‭may be hazardous to themselves, and detrimental to the company they are working for. With‬
‭this, employers are required to abide by the Child Labor Laws along with carrying liability‬
‭insurance for work compensation coverage to protect the overall student’s safety when working‬
‭on the job.‬

‭Supervision plan to monitor student safety‬

‭Student safety is my number one concern when it comes to Work-Based Learning. A‬
‭supervision plan I have to monitor student safety would be to checking in regularly with the‬
‭student’s employers and ensuring that safety is their first priority when the student is working.‬
‭With this I will also have students fill out self-reflectance forms with employer feed as another‬
‭way of monitoring not only the students WBL but also the knowledge and experience they have‬
‭gained from this. Along with being the Work-Based Learning Coordinator it is my duty to keep‬
‭students, parents, and employers knowledgeable and informed by providing the legal and safety‬
‭regulations to ensure workplace safety.‬

‭https://cdn.education.ne.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Role_Function-WBL-Coord.pdf‬

‭All information included is referenced from the Nebraska Department of Education and the‬
‭Nebraska Department of Labor.‬