Central Montco Technical High School

Welcome to the CMTHS Work Based Learning Program.  On this page you will find all that you need to know if you'd like to do a Job Shadow, Internship, or Co-Operative Education Placement, as well as other helpful employment and transportation resources.

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Introduction to Work Based Learning

Work Based Learning (WBL) is a method of instruction that enables students to combine academic classroom instruction (school-based learning component) with occupational instruction through learning on the job (work-based learning component) in a career area of choice. Emphasis is placed on the students’ education and employability skills.

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School to work/cooperative education programs permit the eligible students to be released from school to work for an approved employer in their specific trade area. The student will report to the training site and perform job duties to understand the daily operations along with the challenges of their chosen career path.

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The student/employee always represents CMTHS and is expected to demonstrate professional qualities of responsibility, dependability, ethical behavior, and maturity while performing assigned trade specific tasks assigned by the employer.

The purpose of the school to work/cooperative education program is to provide students with competencies developed through supervised, on-the-job training related to their occupational goal under the guidance of a certified coordinator. 

 

Eligibility & Requirements

To be eligible for a Co-Op Placement, a student must meet ALL of the criteria below.

1. Attendance rate of 95% or better

2. An 85% grade or better in the student's CMTHS Program

3. The students must have no major disciplinary issues

4. Experience at CMTHS; the student must have completed 6 marking periods in the same program.

5. A recommendation from the student's instructor(s)

6. The student must have transportation to and from their Co-Op Placement.

7. The student must have a Social Security Card

8. The student must have completed the PDE industry credential that is their Program’s Safety Certification (OSHA 10 or SP2).

9. If the student is under 18 years old, they will need a Work Permit from their sending school

10. Students must provide information for the job where the student has been accepted to work. (While CMTHS may assist in finding placement opportunities for our students, ultimately, the responsibility is on the student to find a Co-Op job in their area of study.)

11. Completion of all necessary forms by all stakeholders

 

Process

Application

The first step in applying for a WBL Experience is to fill out the Student Interest Application. Ms. Slattery, the Coordinator of Work Based Learning, will get in touch with the student within 72 hours.

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Interview Coordinator of Work Based Learning

One of the steps in getting a job is a job interview. The student who has filled out the interest application will be given an interview appointment by Ms. Slattery, our Coordinator of Work Based Studies. The student will be asked to bring a resume and any other supporting documents (certifications, task lists, etc.) Students are to treat this like any other job opportunity and dress appropriately.

Based on the outcome of the interview, it will determine if the student will be approved to continue a WBL process.

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Approval to Continue

If the student has been approved to continue the process, there are several forms that must be filled out and signed by parents/guardians, the student, the employer, the sending school guidance counselors, and CMTHS staff. Once all of these forms have been completed and signed, the student will be given a work start date when they may begin the Co-Op Placement.