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Employer Information

Work-Based Learning (WBL) Overview for Potential Business Partners

Working together, we give students an opportunity to gain “hands-on” experience. WBL allows students to apply what they learn in the classroom to the workplace, and at the same time earn educational credit towards graduation. Working with you, we design a meaningful and realistic experience for our students. Students are pre-screened by the Work-Based Learning Coordinator and must meet academic requirements. In addition, applicants must have a basic foundation in the field of study (at least 12 credit hours of their major / core courses completed), so that they can meet employer expectations.

Employer Work-Based Learning Benefits
  • Allows for careful pre-screening of trainees.
  • Gain an edge in hiring while reducing training and recruitment cost.
  • Increases productivity by freeing your staff for more creative work.
  • Promotes positive public relations among the community, businesses, and Cape Fear Community College.
  • Provides an excellent source of highly motivated employees.
  • Provide valuable feedback to the college about the needs of your business/industry.
  • Short-term commitment, usually one or two semesters.
  • Employer’s Role
Commitment

In order to partner with Cape Fear Community College and host a WBL student, you must be willing to provide a student with an opportunity to learn through the work he or she will do.

Prior to hosting a WBL student, you will need to:

Have someone with the necessary subject matter expertise available to supervise the student and evaluate his or her progress.

  • Give a secured email that we can use for all Work-Based Learning documentation.
  • Assist the student in defining the job description and/or developing measurable learning objectives that align with their program curriculum.
  • Assure a safe and healthy working environment.
  • Evaluate the student’s progress.
  • Help make the training an education experience.
  • Inform the student of company expectations.
  • Provide a minimum of at least 160, 320 or 480 hours of employment per semester depending on the WBL course credit assigned.
  • Provide orientation regarding company rules and regulations.
  • Adhere to the Fair Labor Standards Act.

During the semester you host a student, we will make at least one visit to your business to see how things are going. Twice during the experience, we will ask you to complete the online evaluations of your student.

Timing

Cape Fear Community College students participate in WBL during our Fall semester (August through December) Spring semester (January through May) and Summer semester (May through July) depending on the program. The WBL office works with potential WBL students during the months leading up to the semester. Student resumes are generally available for partner sites to consider one to two months before the semester starts.

Work hours

To earn one credit for WBL, a student must work 160 hours during our 16-week semester. For two credits, a student must work 320 hours. You and your student will set up a work schedule to accommodate both parties. WBL students typically work part-time at their WBL jobs and continue to carry a full-time course load.

Paid and Non-paid WBL / Internships

Compensation increases the likelihood that the student/employee will be assigned meaningful and productive tasks. For this reason, we strongly suggest that our students, who bring valuable skills to their jobs, be paid at a rate equal to the work provided. However, we do recognize that paid internships can create economic challenges for the employer or even preclude the company’s ability to offer opportunities, therefore, both paid and non-paid internships are acceptable.

To participate in Work-Based Learning as an employer, please complete and submit the form here .

For more information, contact the work-based learning advisor for your program.

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