Work-Based Learning at Your Business
Work-Based Learning (WBL) is a set of activities that occur in the workplace or are informed by businesses. WBL provides participants with hands-on, real-world experiences.
For businesses, WBL helps:
Solve immediate and future talent gaps
Cut hiring and onboarding time and cost
Shape the exact skills they need
Get extra hands to boost capacity
Build brand awareness with future talent
Retain and upskill local employees
Bring in fresh perspectives and innovation
Strengthen the local economy and community reputation
WBL Toolkit and Resources
The Chamber Offers a Free Work-Based Learning Toolkit for Businesses
This free toolkit provides businesses with key information in one place to help them start or formalize a work-based learning (WBL) program. Participants will learn about the benefits of offering WBL opportunities and explore which type of programming is the best fit for their business.
Why Download the Work-Based Learning Toolkit
The toolkit offers templates, checklists, links to resources, and information in one place, saving businesses time and money. It is designed to increase ease, build confidence, and help employers turn work-based learning into a sustainable strategy that benefits businesses, participants, and the broader community.
With the toolkit, businesses receive key information so they can make informed decisions about providing a WBL program. Businesses can share the toolkit with multiple staff, creating an opportunity for cross-training.
Who is the Toolkit for?
This toolkit is for employers of all sizes and industries! People who serve the following functions will benefit from the toolkit. (Note: It might make sense for one or multiple people within your business to access the toolkit.)
- People who determine whether to offer a WBL program, and/or the return on investment (ROI) the WBL program will yield.
- Staff developing the WBL program
- Staff managing WBL participants
- Staff in charge of talent acquisition and human resources
What You’ll Get After Downloading the Toolkit
The Greater Arvada Chamber wants to ensure you have the support you need for your work-based learning program long after you download the toolkit.
- Access to upcoming implementation workshops
- Opportunities to connect with other businesses providing WBL
Download the Toolkit
We recommend businesses review the toolkit 3+ months before they want to offer programming.
Have Questions? Contact Jess Fuller, Sr Director of Economic Impact at jess@arvadachamber.org
Download the Chamber’s “Employer Guide to Work-Based Learning Talent Partners”
This guide includes information on the following partners for work-based learning: CareerWise Colorado, Front Range Community College, Jeffco Public Schools, Red Rocks Community College – Career Success Center, Westminster Public Schools, and Workforce Colorado (Jefferson, Clear Creek, Gilpin).
The purpose of this guide is for businesses to easily determine which education and training partners to reach out to based on:
- The type of support the business is seeking
- Who the business wants to offer work-based learning (WBL) to
- What type of WBL the business wants to offer
- Where your business is located across Arvada, Jefferson and Adams Counties
The Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce is committed to ensuring businesses receive the necessary resources, connections and supports so it is easy to implement work-based learning, businesses experience high-value in offering it, and it serves as an effective mechanism for hiring high quality-talent and strengthening talent pipelines. This guide is not comprehensive of all education and talent partners in the region. We plan to expand the guide to highlight more partners as it proves its value to businesses.
WBL Success Stories
Watch the below Success Stories from Silver Linings Mental Health, Balefire Goods, Snarky Sweet Cake Chick, Salzano Electric, and Forward Steps.
