Students have a variety of Work Based Learning opportunities available to them at West High School. Work Based Learning courses are elective courses. Here are the courses available:
Work Experience (grades 9-12)
It's best for students to enroll in this course simultaneously with Career Planning, But the class may also be taken at a separate time. Work Experience allows students to earn high school credit through part time employment within the community. Students involved in Work Experience build transferable employability/soft skills as well as entry-level technical skills. Work Experience is a semester course and students will work a minimum of 90 hours within the semester. Students need special permission to be employed by their parent/guardian. Students can schedule this course for any hour of the day and are not required to report to work the hour it's on their schedule as many students work nights and weekends. Rather, it's designed to allow some flexibility in their schedule to allow for balance between work and school. This course does not meet daily and is considered a hybrid course.
Internship (grades 11, 12)
An internship allows students to earn high school credit through a paid or unpaid internship in a specific career field or cluster within the Mankato community. Students enrolled in this course will engage in an internship seminar held at the school once a week in addition to their actual internship experiences off site. An Internship is a semester course, but can be extended as a year long course. Students are required to complete 90 hours of interning per semester to receive credit for the course. Students will benefit from linking what they have learned in the classroom with the real world of work. Students need special permission to be employed by their parent/guardian. Student selection will be based on teacher recommendation. Placement is dependent on student and employer needs and schedule. Examples of internships for our program include (but are not limited to): agriculture, automotive, athletics, business, culinary, engineering, finance, healthcare, hospitality & tourism, human services, information technology, law enforcement, manufacturing, marketing, non-profits, sales, trades & construction, and welding & machining training/internship. This course is offered as a hybrid course.
Youth Apprenticeship (grades 10, 11, 12)
This is your opportunity to earn a wage while you learn, build your technical, and employability skills. You will learn career skills, processes and methodologies, while building relationships within industry. This apprenticeship offers full-time employment during non-school days including Summer and part-time employment during the school day (2-4 hours). Hours of work will include hands on work-based learning experiences in career pathways. Over a 1-2 year period (450 hours per year minimum) you will be learning first hand from a community expert. This career pathway can lead to stackable credentials, industry certifications, and future career opportunities. Upon completion of this 1-2 year program you will receive a youth apprenticeship certificate from the Minnesota Department of Education. Youth Apprenticeship Sites include: YEAP (manufacturing); MNDOT (civil engineering), and North Central Utility (automotive technology)
