Emanuel County Schools’ Work-Based Learning program began the new school year this week with coordinators Kendall Hadden and Tori Pellerin meeting with participating students at Emanuel County Institute and Swainsboro High School.
Work-Based Learning (WBL) allows eligible 11th- and 12th-grade students to earn high school credit while gaining job experience related to their Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) pathways and career goals.
During the meetings, Hadden reviewed program expectations and highlighted the professional skills students will develop, such as resume preparation, workplace communication, and appropriate use of artificial intelligence tools to prepare professional documents.
“Work-Based Learning is designed to prepare students to enter the workforce,” Pellerin said. “The assignments, requirements and experiences are directly connected to each student’s instructional pathway and career aspirations.”
Hadden also explained how the program connects students with employment aligned to their high school pathways and long-term career goals. These opportunities help students build resumes, establish professional references, and gain workplace experience before graduation.
WBL also strengthens partnerships between Emanuel County Schools and local employers. “Work-Based Learning serves as a liaison between our school system and the business community,” Hadden said. “By building strong partnerships with local employers, we can provide students with meaningful, hands-on experience before graduation while helping businesses connect with the next generation of our local workforce.”
By linking classroom instruction with on-the-job learning, WBL helps students develop the academic, technical, and employability skills needed to be college, career, and workforce ready.
