¾ÅÖÝÌåÓý

Work Experience In Tech Degree Programs

Work-Based-Learning

As part of the career technical A.A.S. degree requirements, students register and complete the Cooperative Education course (ADM 150/151/152).  ¾ÅÖÝÌåÓý offers specific work-based learning opportunities to our career technical students.  Work-based learning is an excellent way for students to gain work experience, while completing their degree.     

Student Benefit:

Students are able to gain hands on experience through work-based-learning while they are still attending classes at the college.  With the assistance of the Work Experience Coordinator, the student is employed by a business & industry partner prior to graduating. 

Business & Industry Benefit:

By partnering with the college, business & Industry may hire students that are studying in that career field.  This allows for the employer to provide customized training and creates a clear pathway to career development.  Business & Industry have the opportunity to present to career technical students through different events held on campus.  Students gain knowledge about the job opportunities that are available to them.

Business & Industry Training

The Workforce Development Department at ¾ÅÖÝÌåÓý works with Business & Industry to create customized training packages for upskilling current employees.  Business & Industry training can be offered at a convenient day/time, depending on the availability of the instructor.  Training can be offered one to two days a week, during the day or in the evening, for usually a duration of 40 contact hours. 

The following courses have been provided to our Business & Industry employees:

1. Mechanical Maintenance Training (6 courses)
2. Electrical Maintenance Training (5 courses)
3. Electrical Safety Training 
4. Fundamental Print Reading (3 Levels)
5. OSHA 10 & 30
6. Microsoft 365 Excel Training

Contact Melissa Ledbetter, Work Experience Coordinator to schedule a consultation.

Work-Based-Learning Options

There are several options for On-the-Job learning. 

Cooperative Education (Co-Op) is paid employment at a work site, and the focus is on gaining work experience. A key distinction from some other types of WBL is that not every Co-Op placement is tied to the field of study for the student. Successful Co-Op implementations are built on flexible scheduling models established between the employer and the school. Co-op positions often lead to offers for full time permanent position once the student has graduated.

On the Job Learning (OJL) is paid work experience that is directly linked to technical instruction the student is receiving. It must involve structured, supervised work experience, and it often results in long-term employment with the company. The critical defining characteristic of OJL is the connection between academic study and real-world learning experience. This connection sets OJL apart as a more specifically career-focused activity than a general Co-Op placement. Participants in OJL are not only seeking work experience and gaining employability skills, but they are also learning the technical skills necessary for the career they are pursuing

Registered apprenticeships is a business-driven model that provides an effective way for employers to recruit, train, and retain highly skilled workers. Registered apprenticeship is a proven model of job preparation that combines paid on-the-job learning with related instruction to progressively increase workers’ skill levels and wages. Registered apprenticeships are unlike regular training models developed by education and delivered to employers. Instead, they are developed by employers and supported by education providers.

For more information about how your company can benefit from partnering with ¾ÅÖÝÌåÓý for work experience, please contact: Melissa Ledbetter, Work Experience Coordinator.

AOA Registered Apprenticeship

What is An Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships afford participants a chance to earn money while they learn in a non-traditional classroom or online setting. The earn & learn model provides apprentices an opportunity to see a direct relation between their increasing skills and increasing wages. Apprenticeship programs are one of the most effective ways to reach our labor force participation and attainment goals and to ensure that Alabamians are on career pathways leading to economic mobility and self-sufficiency.

The five components are: Employer Involvement; On the Job Learning; Related Technical Instruction; Progressive Wage Increases and the attainment of one or more portable nationally recognized industry credentials.

The apprenticeship can be set up as a time-based model (measures an individual skill acquisition through completion of hours of on-the-job learning) or competency based (measures individual skill acquisition through successful demonstration of skills and knowledge. 

Melissa Ledbetter
Work Experience Coordinator
ledbetterm@nacc.edu
256-228-6001 ext. 2361 or
256-638-4418, ext. 2361

“¾ÅÖÝÌåÓý is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDC) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities. “

Workforce Development Events

Stay up to date with events we host each year.

Apprenticeship/Co-op Expo

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Offered to Career Tech Students.  Business & Industry sets up for a day of interviewing with our students.  Students may bring their resumes and prepare to interview at a central location where several of the Business & Industry partners are there to speak to them.

Summer Bridge Program

Monday, June 9, 2025 - Friday, June 13, 2025. 

A week held in June for our upcoming 10th - 12th graders, and recent high school graduates.  Students register for a degree program of their choice.  Students experience that pathway in labs, along with information on College Admission, Financial Aid, and College Success.  

Summer STEM Camp

A fun filled camp just for our middle schoolers.  Students get to experience robotics at its best!  

Human Resource and Leadership Conference

Save the Date:  October 2, 2025

MFG Appreciation Luncheon

Save the Date: October 3, 2025