Resources Hub
What might a high school student ask me during their job shadow? What are the state requirements for an externship? The resources here help answer any question you may have about work-based learning, guide you towards a successful experience, and cater to both the needs of the business owner and the educator.
What is Work-Based Learning?
This video gives a brief and simple overview of what work-based learning is all about.
Work-Based Learning Documents for Organizations
It's All in the Details: Planning A School Visit
The Vital Details To Decide Before A Visit
Questions Students May Ask
Prepare For Questions Students May Ask Exploring Careers
Graduation Requirements
Check Out The Pathways Students Can Take To Graduation And How You Can Help
Sample Schedule: Large Facility
Sample Schedule for a Large Facility or Organization with Multiple Departments
Sample Schedule: Small Facility
Sample Schedule for a Small Business, Single Department, or Independent Business
Spotlight: Job Shadows
An Overview Of Job Shadowing, And How It Can Fit Your Business
Spotlight: Service Learning Projects
Offering Service Learning Projects That Benefit Employers And Their Communities
Types of Career Exploration
Explanations of state approved work-based learning experiences
Pathways to Graduation
PA Department of Education's pathways to graduation graphic
Comparison of evidence for work-based learning
The following chart compares student evidence common to both College & Career Readiness (as reflected in the Future Ready PA Index) and the Pennsylvania Pathways to Graduation, highlighting similarities/differences to assist schools in identifying student experience applicability.
Work-Based Learning Links for Organizations
Links to helpful work-based learning resources
PA Dept of Education
PA Department of Education's clearance requirements for employers and volunteers working with students
Child Abuse History Clearance
Required Child Abuse History Clearance for employers and volunteers
PA State Police Criminal History Check
Required PA State Police Criminal History Background Check for employers and volunteers
FBI Criminal History Check
Required FBI Criminal History Background Check for employers and volunteers
PA Graduation Pathways
Explanations of the graduation pathways including career exploration requirements
Student Videos- Coming Soon!
Student Documents - Coming Soon!
Work-Based Learning Links for Students
From career assessments to job boards, search the links below to help you in your discovery of your ideal career pathway!
CCAC Career Assessment
Career assessment tool from CCAC
PA CareerLink®
Resume building tools, job board, and more
Roadtrip Nation
Organization road-tripping across America highlighting career pathways. This particular link focuses on southwestern PA career pathways and data.
The Consortium for Public Education
Video resources and interviews with industry professionals in various career pathways
My Next Move
Career Assessments based on interests and strengths
SkillUp PA
Database of industry recognized credentials, certifications, and trainings
Forging Your Future: Self-Paced Manufacturing Courses
Self-paced courses on the past, present and future of manufacturing for students looking to start a successful career in the field.
"What's So Cool About Manufacturing?" Video Library - Catalyst Connections
From Catalyst Connection, The WSCM Video Library showcases hundreds of Pennsylvania manufacturers filmed, edited, and produced by Pennsylvania middle school teams.
Manufacturing Mobile Games: Mech Life and Cube Cut
Learn about manufacturing careers and the skills required via your mobile device with Catalyst Connection in partnership with Simcoach Games.
Junior Achievers Connect
Junior Achievers of Southwestern PA interactive resources to explore future careers.
Junior Achievers Here to Career
Whether you're searching for a career path or need help with next steps, you can use JA Here to Career to kickstart your career journey and make strides toward your career goals.
Junior Achievers Career Flipbook
Junior Achievers in-depth look at careers from Agriculture to Transportation
Jobs Explained
Website featuring the nation's fastest growing industries including job boards, info sites, and TikToks related to specific careers
US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Handbook from US Bureau of Labor Statistics highlighting national data on career pathways including pay, growth rate, and required education
Work-Based Learning Video for Educators - Coming Soon!
Work-Based Learning Documents for Educators
Service Learning Project Guide
This guide includes templates, check-lists, state requirements, and sample documents needed to complete a successful service learning project.
Job Shadow Guide
This guide includes templates, check-lists, state requirements, and sample documents needed to complete a successful job shadow.
Internship Guide
This guide includes templates, check-lists, state requirements, and sample documents needed to complete a successful internship.
Externship Guide
This guide includes templates, check-lists, state requirements, and sample documents needed to complete a successful externship.
Student Self-Evaluation
Student self-evaluation to be completed after a work-based learning experience.
Student Timesheet
Timesheet to account for students' hours and activities during a work-based learning experience
Work-Based Learning Resource Links for Educators
Consortium Educator Resources
Resources for Educators curated by the Consortium for Public Education
CCAC Career Assessment
CCAC Career Assessment for students
Graduation Pathways
Find PDFs of graduation pathways and requirements under the "Resources" tab in the above link
My Next Move Career Assessment
Career Assessment based on interests and strengths
PA Career Education and Work Standards
PA Dept of Education CEW Standards
PA CareerLink®
PA CareerLink® is a great way to connect students to resources such as job boards, training programs, and employers
SkillUp PA
SkillUp PA offers hundreds of industry recognized credential courses for free. Sign-up and start browsing for courses that will get you ahead in exploring careers and give you an in-depth look at the skills required by industries.
Recent Labor Market Information
Check out the latest labor market information and trends for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.
Video Library: "What's So Cool About Manufacturing?"
From Catalyst Connection, The WSCM Video Library showcases hundreds of Pennsylvania manufacturers filmed, edited, and produced by Pennsylvania middle school teams.
Manufacturing Mobile Games: Mech Life and Cube Cut
Learn about manufacturing careers and the skills required via your mobile device with Catalyst Connection in partnership with Simcoach Games.
Forging Your Future: Self-Paced Manufacturing Courses
Self-paced courses on the past, present and future of manufacturing, for students to start a successful career or educators to help guide their students in career planning.
Industry 4.0 Teacher Academy
This 4-day pilot program with Catalyst Connection provides participants with an inside look at how today's manufacturing technologies are applied in industry, offers classroom resources, and delivers training on inquiry-based educational practices.
Junior Achiever Educator Resource Page
The following resources are available to JA Areas, teachers, volunteers and parents for use with all JA programming to extend and enhance the JA experience for students. These resources provide students with additional information, learning opportunities, and experiences that support their understanding of JA's curriculum. K-12 resources available.
Junior Achievers Connect
Junior Achievers resources explore career pathways and financial literacy
Junior Achievers Here to Career
For JA Connect and JA Here to Career, students must be 13+ to enter and will need to select JA of Western PA as their JA site
Junior Achievers Career Flipbook
Junior Achievers in-depth exploration flipbook of industries from Agriculture to Transportation
US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Handbook from US Bureau of Labor Statistics highlighting national data on career pathways including pay, growth rate, and required education