{"A":"Mecklenburg County Public Schools","B":"Robust Work-Based Learning Initiative","C":"Mecklenburg County Public Schools’ dedication to improving career training opportunities for students and promoting academic achievement and success is evident through their new robust work-based learning program.  The system employs a full-time work-based learning specialist to develop, promote, and grow the work-based learning program.  The work-based learning program focuses on offering students opportunities to connect with professionals in all career pathways, gain skills and experience through hands-on learning opportunities, partner with professional mentors for guidance, and build career connections. Work-based learning experiences assist students in meeting Profile of a Graduate graduation mandates, gaining experience in his\/her chosen career pathways, and possibly obtaining future employment. These experiences are offered through partnerships with approximately 60 businesses who serve as classroom speakers, internship partners, and student mentors.  Students have the opportunity to participate in work-based learning programs within CTE classes through school-based enterprises, service learning, clinical experiences, internal internships, and cooperative education. Students may also participate in community work-based learning experiences as a result of partnerships with businesses and professional mentors. Potential positions are listed on the Hiring Pool page of the Work-Based Learning website as well as the Mentorship Program page.  The work-based learning program is promoted to students through classroom visits by the Career & Work-Based Learning Specialist, on their website, and through flyers and brochures.  In addition, students are spotlighted in an Intern Spotlight Series and these spotlights are published as Facebook posts and they are also listed on the WBL webpage.  Business partners are spotlighted each Wednesday on Facebook through “Workforce Wednesday” posts.  ","D":"Natalie Coronas, Career and Work Based Learning Specialist, ncoronas@mcpsweb.org, 434-738-6111","E":"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/mcpsweb.org\/mcpscareerswork-basedlearning"}