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Culpeper expands work-based learning, doubles ESL externship earnings
Summary
Work-based learning coordinator Ainsley Cockrell presented program growth, a rebrand of career events, and an expanded ESL externship that doubled student earnings this year.
Ainsley Cockrell, Culpeper County Public Schools’ new work-based learning coordinator, told the school board the division is expanding high-quality work-based learning opportunities across elementary, middle and secondary schools.
Cockrell described program growth in job shadowing, mentorships, and school-based enterprises and outlined a rebrand of multiple career events under the umbrella “CCPS Workforce Connections.” She said the rebrand is intended to make the program suite easier for businesses to engage with and to attract broader employer participation.
Program growth and partnerships: Cockrell said the ESL externship grew from a paid one-week experience to two weeks, increasing participating students from 10 to 20 and raising student earnings from $4,000 to $8,000 this year. She cited partnerships with UVA Health, Dyna Electric, local fire departments, VDOT, REC and Dominion Energy as examples of business engagement that brings industry exposure into classrooms and field experiences.
On practical supports, Cockrell said she is running individualized resume workshops and has scheduled full days for students from the high school and CTEC to receive one-on-one updates and coaching before upcoming job fairs. "Every student deserves the opportunity to explore their pathway," she told the board.
Board reaction and next steps: Board members praised the presentation and the coordinator’s outreach plan; Cockrell said she will expand advisory council membership this spring to include students and principals and rotate meetings among schools to highlight program activity across the division.
Ending: Cockrell said she will continue building middle- and elementary-level exposure activities and will report back on metrics and partnership growth at future meetings.
