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High-school staff and students showcase expanded work-based learning and job placements
Summary
The board heard a high-school workforce-readiness spotlight: community-based instruction trips rose from three to 12 this year, DAR cases increased from 18 to 41, and students described hands-on placements and job-coach support.
At the King William County School Board meeting, Miss Mcomes and a high-school team presented the division's expanded workforce-readiness and work-based learning efforts for students, particularly those in special education.
Miss Mcomes said community-based instruction field trips increased from three in 2024 to 12 this school year. She reported 18 Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DAR) cases last year and 41 this year, and described partnerships with vendors, Wilson Workforce programs and a local 'King William Works' program that offers job shadowing, career assessments and certificates. Presenters said vendor partnerships and job coaches have helped place students in real work settings such as cafeterias and local businesses.
Students who spoke described their duties and supports: Apple Martial said she worked in the cafeteria and office with a job coach; Maggie Martial and Christian Leasi described working at a local restaurant, folding boxes and performing kitchen tasks with on-site support. Presenters highlighted certification pathways (for example, forklift and HVAC training at partner programs) and vendor-run academies (including a drone academy) as examples of hands-on opportunities.
Board members thanked the presenters and noted the program as a model for expanding student workplace experience.
What happens next: Staff said they hope to expand placements and continue building vendor partnerships and job-coach supports so more students can access work-based learning.
