CONNECT LEARNING TO THE WORKPLACE
Work-Based Learning connects the skills students develop at Green Mountain Tech with authentic experiences in the workplace. Through career exploration, job shadows, industry experiences, and cooperative education, students have opportunities to learn directly from employers, apply their technical skills, and develop the professional habits needed for success beyond high school.
EXPLORE
Learn about careers and workplaces through employer connections, industry visits, job shadows, and other career-exploration experiences.
EXPERIENCE
Apply technical and professional skills in authentic workplace settings while learning from people working in the industry.
WORK
Eligible students can take their learning further through Cooperative Education placements connected to their Green Mountain Tech program.
WORK-BASED LEARNING AT GREEN MOUNTAIN TECH
Work-Based Learning can take many forms. Some experiences give students an opportunity to explore an industry or workplace for a few hours. Others allow students to develop skills through longer-term experiences with employers. Together, these opportunities help students understand career options, build professional connections, and see how classroom and technical learning translates to the workplace.
Work-Based Learning
TAKE YOUR TECHNICAL SKILLS TO WORK
Cooperative Education—or co-op—allows eligible Green Mountain Tech students to extend their technical program into an approved workplace. Students apply skills they have developed at Green Mountain Tech while gaining authentic industry experience, building professional relationships, and taking on increasing levels of workplace responsibility.
Co-op placements are connected to a student's technical program and are developed in partnership with the student, program instructor, Green Mountain Tech's Work-Based Learning Coordinator, and employer.
HOW CO-OP WORKS
1. BUILD YOUR SKILLS
Develop the technical skills, safety practices, and professional habits needed to succeed in a workplace.
2. DEMONSTRATE READINESS
Work with your instructor and the Work-Based Learning Coordinator to determine whether you're ready for a co-op placement.
3. FIND THE RIGHT PLACEMENT
Identify an approved employer and a workplace experience that connects meaningfully to your technical program.
4. LEARN ON THE JOB
Apply your skills in an authentic workplace while continuing to learn, receive feedback, and develop professionally.
IS CO-OP RIGHT FOR YOU?
Participation in Work-Based Learning and Cooperative Education is a privilege earned through demonstrated readiness. Students must consistently demonstrate:
- Safe work habits
- Reliable attendance
- Professional behavior
- Satisfactory academic progress
- Technical competency appropriate for the placement
- Maturity and responsibility
Final approval for a placement rests with Green Mountain Tech administration and program instructors.
HOW CO-OP WORKS
Once a student is approved for Cooperative Education, Green Mountain Tech works with the student, program instructor, and employer to establish an appropriate placement connected to the student’s technical program.
Students report directly to their assigned worksite and are expected to follow both employer expectations and Green Mountain Tech requirements. Students must notify both their employer and Green Mountain Tech if they will be absent or late.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES ON CO-OP
Students participating in Cooperative Education are expected to:
- Arrive on time and prepared to work
- Follow all workplace and school safety requirements
- Dress appropriately for the workplace
- Communicate professionally with supervisors and coworkers
- Demonstrate honesty, respect, initiative, and responsibility
- Maintain confidentiality when required
- Follow employer policies and procedures
Students must continue to meet Green Mountain Tech attendance and program expectations while participating in Co-op. Safety violations, attendance concerns, unprofessional conduct, or other workplace concerns may result in removal from a placement.
READY TO GET STARTED?
Interested students should begin by talking with their program instructor and Green Mountain Tech’s Work-Based Learning Coordinator, Mallery Daudelin, about their readiness, interests, and possible placement opportunities.