“Work Based Learning” is a hot topic when discussing the transition of students with special needs from high school to the workforce. But what exactly is Work Based Learning and how does it benefit students at the Calais School?

Work Based Learning (WBL) is a framework that offers high school special education students the opportunity to intern with employers in real-work settings. These internships give students the chance to develop transferable skills for success in postsecondary education and the workforce.

At the Calais School, Work Based Learning is an integral part of our Transition Program curriculum. It includes supervised activities designed to assist students as they explore and define career goals, build workplace-readiness skills, and gain career area field experience. In the 11th grade, students are introduced to WBL activities on-campus. When ready, students will be placed in internships alongside job coaches at a variety of job sites within the community.

Through partnerships with local businesses, The Calais School is able to provide students with a variety of internship opportunities in local retail establishments, early childhood development centers, healthcare facilities, food markets, animal shelters, graphic design shops, local libraries and more. During their internships, students will not only learn skills related to specific jobs, but glean an understanding of employer expectations, cultivate appropriate workplace behavior, and build their resumes. The end goal is to prepare students for independent living by giving them the skills they need to successfully enter the workforce upon graduation from high school.

The Calais School is always looking for new partnerships. Our students have interned at a variety of local businesses including:

  • CareOne
  • Crunch Fitness
  • Fast Signs
  • Marshalls
  • No Fuss Lunch
  • PetCo
  • PIP Printing
  • Riccardi Brothers
  • ShopRite of Greater Morristown
  • The Parsippany-Troy Hills Library
  • The Morris Museum
  • TJ Maxx
  • Tons of Toys
  • Walgreens

This month, we are pleased to add two more Whippany-based partnerships to this list:  Sunnyfields Learning Center and CVS of Whippany 

Calais Transition Program Supervisor Rosie Nakashian shares her enthusiasm about the student intern experience. 

“It is amazing to see our students working so hard in the community, interacting with customers and employers to prepare them for the workforce when they graduate. The various experiences help our students plan for their career decisions, network with potential employers in the area, select courses of interest, and develop job skills for the future. They are also learning to develop their self-advocacy and problem-solving skills in the real world.”

If you are a local business owner or store manager, and are interested in partnering with The Calais School’s Work Based Learning program, please contact Vincent Femia, Work Based Learning Coordinator, at 973-884-2030 ext. 356.