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Benefits

BENEFITS OF WORK-BASED LEARNING

Quality work-based learning programs benefit our students, educators, employers, schools, and the community. Vital Link ensures that modern-day skills that are required in the workplace are made apparent to students – our future workforce.  Skills like the following:

  • Good Communication Skills. Good communication skills are the single most important factor in workplace success after understanding one's job.
     
  • A Good Attitude. A good attitude about one's job and motivation to take initiative on important issues and ideas is key to being successful in any job.
     
  • Creative Thinking and Problem-solving Skills. People who can recognize and define problems, come up with new approaches and solutions, and put them into action help a company stay competitive.
     
  • The Ability to Learn. With technology changing so rapidly, more than ever employers are searching for employees who can acquire, process, and apply new information.
     
  • Strong Reading, Writing, and Math Skills. Companies are increasingly demanding that their new employees have these basic skills.
     

Benefits to Employers

Vital Link Employers benefit from work-based learning in the following ways:

  • A pool of skilled and motivated potential future employees
     
  • Increased number of licensed and certified employees
     
  • Improved employee retention
     
  • Reduced training and recruitment costs
     
  • Developmental opportunities for the current workforce
     
  • Development of new projects with student assistance
     
  • Return to C-level projects temporarily shelved with student assistance
     
  • Guidance and advisement on curriculum development
     
  • Opportunity to provide community service
     

Benefits to Students

Students benefit from work-based learning in the following ways:

  • Application of classroom learning (both academic and technical) in real-world settings
     
  • Establishment of a clear connection between school and work
     
  • Assessment of their interests, aptitudes, and abilities while learning about the career possibilities available to them
     
  • Improvement of their postgraduation employment opportunities
     
  • Development and practice of positive work-related habits and attitudes, including the ability to think critically, solve problems, work in teams, and resolve issues
     
  • Assessment and understanding of the expectations of the workplace
     
  • Establishment of professional contacts for future employment
     
  • Expansion and refinement of their technical skills
     
  • Participation in authentic, job-related tasks
     
  • Observation of the demeanor and procedures of workplace professionals
     
  • Increased motivation/appreciation for staying in school
     
  • Awareness of postsecondary education opportunities
     

Benefits to Schools

Schools benefit from work-based learning in the following ways:

  • Adding real-world relevance to curriculum and classroom learning
     
  • Expanding the curriculum and learning environments for students and educators
     
  • Exposing students and educators to state-of-the-art equipment, technology, and techniques
     
  • Meeting the needs of diverse student populations
     
  • Individualizing instruction for students
     
  • Promoting and fostering faculty interaction with the business community
     
  • Enhancing faculty/staff development efforts
     
  • Making education more relevant and valuable to students
     
  • Increasing student retention rates in schools/increased graduation rates
     

Benefits to our Community

The community benefits from work-based learning through:

  • Creating an environment of collaboration and cooperation among schools, employers, and the community that contributes to economic prosperity
     
  • Building a world-class workforce; creating a diverse, prepared talent pipeline
     
  • Encouraging respect, tolerance, and understanding among different groups
     
  • Contributing to building a more productive local economy
     
  • Fostering confidence in the school system as practical and beneficial results are observed