Work Experience Education

About

Work Experience Education integrates academic instruction with practical, supervised employment to strengthen students’ professional competencies and career readiness. These programs reinforce the connection between theoretical learning and its application in the workplace, supporting the development of essential skills and employer partnerships that contribute to California’s workforce and economic vitality.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, all Work Experience documentation was maintained in physical file folders. Following the transition to remote operations, the college digitized all historical records and incorporated them into each student’s permanent academic file. Faculty now submit Work Experience documentation directly to the Admissions and Records Office at the conclusion of each term, completing a comprehensive transition to a fully digital record management system.

Here is an example of the forms used in the Auto Repair department. Each department can use its own forms as long as they meet the administrative policy requirements - https://www.cerritos.edu/auto/corporate-students.htm

 

Work Experience Administrative Procedure

Work Experience Education has been available for the following programs in the past:

  • AUTO 173 - Automotive Technology Work Experience Education
  • BA 171 - Business Administration Work Experience
  • BA 172 - Business Administration Work Experience
  • HED 204 -  Work Experience Education in Community Health Worker
  • KIN 271A -  Work Experience in Athletic Training 
  • KIN 271B - Work Experience in Fitness
  • LAW 171 - Legal Work Experience
  • LAW 172 - Legal Work Experience 
  • LAW 173 - Legal Work Experience 
  • LAW 174 - Legal Work Experience
  • MA 73 - Medical Assistant Work Experience
  • MA 74 - Medical Assistant Work Experience
  • RE 172 - Real Estate Work Experience/Career Internship
  • RE 173 - Real Estate Work Experience/Career Internship
  • RE 174 - Real Estate Work Experience/Career Internship
  • RE 174A - Real Estate Work Experience/Career Internship

important memos from the chancellor's office:

The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office has expressed interest in expanding work based learning as part of its Vision 2030 initiative to modernize and align statewide systems. The college’s Career Services department is collaborating with institutional leadership and the Chancellor’s Office to enhance data integration, compliance, and workflow efficiency in support of this effort.

Pursuant to Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations, Work Experience Education requires clear delineation of responsibilities among students, faculty, and employers. Employer agreements specify supervisory obligations and compliance with applicable labor laws, ensuring that the educational and employment components of the program are aligned and mutually beneficial.

The academic integrity and value of Work Experience courses are maintained through adherence to Title 5 regulations concerning credit hour definitions, full-time equivalent student (FTES) calculations, attendance accounting, course repetition, and credit determinations. The district ensures accurate record retention by student identification number through the Admissions and Records Office.