Overview
Across the United States, work-based learning programs are essential in preparing the next generation of skilled workers, providing all youth with equitable access to sustainable careers. These programs offer high school students the chance to engage in real-world work environments. It provides a significant advantage for students who are less engaged in the traditional classroom but demonstrate better hands-on learning. This immersive experience allows them to develop technical and durable skills that align with industry demands, fostering a sense of relevance and purpose in their education.
For businesses, partnering with work-based learning initiatives means not only accessing a pipeline of young talent equipped with necessary competencies but also giving back to their communities. By partnering with work-based learning initiatives, companies can actively shape the development of their future workforce, guaranteeing that students graduate not only with practical skills but also with industry-recognized certifications essential for success in real-world employment. This inclusive approach helps build a diverse and resilient workforce, enhancing employee retention, reducing onboarding costs, and creating sustainable career pathways that benefit both the business and the broader communities.
Work-based learning (WBL) offers businesses a strategic advantage by preparing students with the knowledge and skills necessary for productive careers through a series of sequenced and coordinated activities. This approach ensures that educational outcomes align with employer needs, effectively bridging the gap between school and the workplace. By participating in WBL, businesses gain access to a pool of young talent familiar with their industry, reducing onboarding costs and improving retention rates. Additionally, WBL provides students with hands-on career exploration, enhancing job relevance and readiness, while also offering companies the opportunity to shape and support their future workforce. Learn more on how WBL benefits businesses by visiting gpsed.org/whatiswbl
This strategic investment in youth talent development enhances employee retention, reduces onboarding costs, and fosters a sustainable career pathway that benefits both the business and the broader community.
For mid- to large-sized employers, partnering with work-based learning intermediaries offers a strategic advantage in workforce development. These intermediaries specialize in designing customized pathway solutions that address specific talent needs across any industry.
Successful co-design of a work-based learning solution can enhance their talent pipeline, ensuring a steady flow of skilled workers tailored to their unique requirements. This approach not only complements existing workforce initiatives but also targets critical areas where talent gaps persist.
Leveraging work-based learning solutions
allows corporations to invest in their future
workforce, build loyalty among young employees, and maintain a competitive edge in their industry. Organizations with multiple facilities can scale work-based learning programs statewide or nationwide by
establishing a standardized framework that ensures consistency and quality across locations.
By leveraging technology for communication and training, and adapting the core program to local needs, businesses can efficiently expand these initiatives.
Collaborating with state and local workforce development agencies, and utilizing available grants and incentives, can further support this growth for businesses that work in registered apprenticeship programs as well.
This approach helps build a robust nationwide talent pipeline, meeting workforce needs while fostering the professional development of young people across various regions especially where there is a gap between education and career development.
By bridging the gap between education and industry, and by and actively engaging with schools and districts, businesses can contribute to the development of a skilled workforce but also create mutually beneficial partnerships that address the needs of both students and employers.
Introduction
Johnson Controls (JCI) is an international company that serves as a world leader in smart buildings, creating safe, healthy, and sustainable spaces.
With 100,000 employees across 150 countries, Johnson Controls supports the health, sustainability and performance of buildings.
Founder Warren Johnson began building ideas to harness and conserve energy resources with his first invention — an early version of the thermostat.
A consistent approach using customer-focused innovation has led to the creation of one of the largest international smart-building companies in the world.
While the company approaches energy and buildings through a variety of solutions, the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Fire Suppression lines of business provide needed infrastructure support to building owners everywhere, in addition to offering significant growth opportunities for qualified individuals.
Over the next ten years, HVAC openings are predicted to increase by over 35,000 jobs — a 5-8% growth in nationwide openings. Fire Suppression positions also offer promising career prospects, with robust growth expected in this sector.
Challenges & Barriers
Like any company, recruitment of new employees is an ongoing need. Over the last few years, leadership in Johnson Controls’ California region recognized two specific challenges.
- First, the need for highly-trained and capable employees, specifically in HVAC and Fire Suppression, was increasing.
- Second, Johnson Controls had HVAC service agreements with several school districts and was looking for a way to give back to their communities. Helping prepare students with successful career navigation programs filled that need.
In 2021, a former executive at Rexnord Corporation, an international process and motion control component company, recommended GPS Education Partners (GPS Ed) as a WBL intermediary to help increase awareness and recruitment pipelines for Johnson Controls.
Navigating the complexities of school partnerships can be challenging for businesses. School districts have multiple levels of decision-making, stringent requirements on partnerships around safety and security, and tightly controlled schedules. In addition, school staff are very busy throughout the work day and have little time to interact with community partners.
Additionally, large employers with sizable footprints and many locations find it difficult to establish local level work-based learning programs, and lack a centralized system — a key component of a successful business and school partnership.
Finally, managing expectations for high school students who are interacting with professionals and upskilling young people to thrive in the workplace are not typical skills of business employees.
Having worked with companies and school districts before, GPS Ed, a leading intermediary in work-based learning, was uniquely positioned
to support the work-based learning system design from career awareness campaigns to full internships.
Implementation
Partnership Launch
Johnson Controls (JCI) partnered with GPS Education Partners in 2022 to launch a Youth Talent Development Program to increase awareness and build internship possibilities within regional high schools.
As a Work-Based Learning (WBL) Intermediary, GPS Ed provided tailored consultation to address JCI’s workforce development requirements.
Following the program’s design phase, GPS Ed then supported implementation across three key domains:
- Facilitating collaboration among educational institutions (both secondary and post-secondary)
- Training branch personnel to effectively engage with high school students, and
- Overseeing student tracking and assistance.
School Outreach
In the current JCI Youth Talent Development Program, GPS Ed initially identified six high schools within a 30-minute radius of each of two regional Johnson Control branches in San Francisco, CA, and Los Angeles, CA to collaborate as partners.
Working closely with branch managers, GPS Ed has facilitated the development of skills and initiatives aimed at enhancing outreach to schools, as well as fostering and evaluating youth apprenticeships and internships.
Intermediaries Increase
the Success of Business Implementation of Work-Based Learning Initiatives by:
Building systems and processes to support the program
Recruiting and supporting employer partners
Increasing access for all student populations
These initiatives prioritize fostering awareness of career pathways, exploring diverse career options, and facilitating internship placements, establishing a cohesive framework for the program’s success.
Real-World Impacts: Practical Applications of Work-Based Learning with Clients
Gustave A. Larson Company, a leading HVAC/R distributor, partnered with GPS Ed to address their need for talent and industry awareness. Together, they designed a scalable work-based learning solution across multiple regions. An expansion of this partnership resulted in 100% of participating apprenticeship students in year one securing placements within GA Larson or other industry companies, effectively building a robust talent pipeline.
As the founding business for GPS Ed’s Wisconsin- based Education Center & Youth Apprenticeship Program, Generac Power Systems initiated a partnership with a single school to help serve five students disengaged from their traditional classroom back in 2000.
After seeing the successful results of the program, GPS Ed was formed as a nonprofit, and now partners with hundreds of businesses and schools, graduating over 1,250 students with industry- recognized credentials to meet employers’ needs.
GPS Ed continues to serve as a WBL intermediary to support Generac’s youth talent solutions, connecting academic learning with real-world experiences.
Focused on impacting underrepresented student populations, 3M enlisted GPS Ed to enhance career awareness and exploration in mechatronics (automation and robotics for industrial maintenance) through its established 3M-MAP Program.
This growing partnership has already reached over 1500 students, with plans to expand by 60% over the next year, highlighting the significant impact of work-based learning on future career opportunities.
Making School Work
Foothills High School in Pleasanton, CA is a comprehensive 2,100-student high school located in the Amador Valley in the East Bay ‒ San Francisco Area.
Foothills has a robust career and technical education (CTE) pathways academy program that includes an engineering pathway in partnership with Project Lead the Way (PLTW).
Students focus on transferable skills embedded in the PLTW curriculum such as problem-solving, critical and creative thinking, collaboration, communication, ethical reasoning, and mindset.
In response to GPS Ed’s outreach, Mr. Johnson connected, as he saw a real opportunity to provide career awareness, exposure, and potential internships for his students.
Program Expansion
During the 2022-23 academic year, Johnson Controls’ branch manager, Kevin Pacheco, achieved his initial objective by establishing a partnership with Foothill High School to promote career awareness.
The program involved delivering in-school presentations to 100 students enrolled in the aerospace course. As a direct result, one student successfully secured a summer internship with Johnson Controls.
GPS Ed played a pivotal role in crafting the presentation outline, incorporating student- centric insights provided by JCI within the program’s comprehensive framework.
Building on the success of the JCI Youth Talent Development Program for the Bay Area Branches, the program expanded in the 2023-24 academic year to include partnerships with three high schools located within 20 minutes of the branches, aiming to reduce transportation barriers.
GPS Ed played a pivotal role in crafting the presentation outline, incorporating student- centric insights provided by JCI within the program’s comprehensive framework.
Building on the success of the JCI Youth Talent Development Program for the Bay Area Branches, the program expanded in the 2023-24 academic year to include partnerships with three high schools located within 20 minutes of the branches, aiming to reduce transportation barriers.
In his tenth year teaching high school math and engineering, Gary Johnson teaches “Introduction to Engineering Design,” “Principles of Engineering,” and “Aeronautical Engineering” classes, building technical and workplace skills for further engineering education or placement in engineering industries.
At Foothill High School, the program shifted to students and portfolios, and GPS Ed filled the role of working to Foothill High School in the “Principles of Engineering” course. These students engaged in awareness-building activities, including a visit to one of the largest high-rise buildings in downtown San Francisco to explore the HVAC system maintained by Johnson Controls.
This partnership between GPS Ed and JCI is pivotal, as it opens students’ minds to diverse career opportunities they may not have previously considered, thereby fostering greater community engagement and economic empowerment.
The Learning Journey
After the tours and presentations, students who were interested in the industry completed internship applications. In Mr. Johnson’s classes, the students would build resumes and portfolios, and GPS Ed filled the role of working to place the students in aligned internships.
This opportunity provides the students with the experience of the application and interview process, building confidence in professional environments.
Across all six partnering high schools in California, a total of 418 students were introduced to Johnson Controls and the HVAC and Fire Supression Industries through the awareness program, 90 students engaged in exploration and four students in paid internship placements.
Unlocking Career Success
The partnership with Johnson Controls is intentionally co- designed as a funnel with clear next steps and options for every student along the way.
After a student engages with a presentation or hands- on project at school, the next step might be signing up to come tour or job shadow, and potentially land an internship or further certification through a technical college pathway.
By guiding students through the process, access increases and success rates are improved.
Vision
The long-term vision for this partnership is to
- Build a consistent stream of highly qualified summer interns,
Help 400+ students per year build an awareness and exploration of HVAC and Fire Suppression Industries, and
- Support local schools and districts by providing time and space for professional interaction.
By starting with awareness and exploration, students have multiple pathways to working in these industries.
These two stages are the launchpad for GPS Ed’s Work-Based Learning JourneyTM which, when followed stage by stage, has a much higher success rate of pathway satisfaction and placement than other pathway approaches.
Some may work directly out of high school, some may attend local two-year colleges such as Lincoln Tech, who is partnered with JCI and other employers, to earn appropriate certifications, and others may attend a four-year university for engineering majors.
The Work-based Learning Journey
Connecting today’s classroom to tomorrow’s careers
Find where your journey begins below
CareerAwareness
Grades 8–10
CareerExploration
Grades 9–11
CareerExperience
Grades 10–12
CareerPreparation
Grades 12–14
CareerDevelopment
Grades 12–16
Successful career readiness should include a continuum of work-based learning that involves meaningful interactions with employers. By providing in-depth, hands-on activities, real-world work is integrated into students’ education, preparing them for valuable careers.
Working with our business and education partners, we bring awareness to students about numerous industries and vocations.
Student BenefitsDiscover your passions and interests, and how they can relate to an attainable career.
School BenefitsIgnite a sense of purpose in students by creating relevance between school and work through real world interactions.
Employer BenefitsDemonstrate the impact your work has on the community while increasing student awareness of technical careers.
Through applied career exploration, we bring job-relevance to students in their educational setting.
Student BenefitsExplore potential career pathways and start creating a data-driven career plan.
School BenefitsIncrease student interest in academics with work-based learning experiences.
Employer BenefitsAlign student’s interests and aptitudes with job opportunities that meet your employment needs.
We intersect school and workplace environments with practical education programs and customized vocational training.
Student BenefitsLearn valuable hard and soft skills while building an impressive portfolio through on-the-job training.
School BenefitsProvide new learning opportunities that give students the work-experience needed to validate their pathway choice.
Employer BenefitsTrain and develop the future workforce to create a more robust, diverse and innovative talent pipeline.
Through on-site work experience, we prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary for productive, fulfilling careers.
Student BenefitsGain work experience in your desired career pathway while taking classes that advance your career options.
School BenefitsIncrease student engagement in academic coursework related to their desired careers.
Employer BenefitsTeach students the skills necessary to thrive in your workforce while increasing your productivity.
Students develop professionally through WBL, becoming productive members in their community.
Student BenefitsImplement a personalized career-training plan, whether that means securing employment in your desired job or continuing education.
School BenefitsIncrease the amount of students who graduate career-ready.
Employer BenefitsGain access to highly motivated employees, already trained and developed to meet your company’s needs.
The Work-based Learning Journey
Connecting today’s classroom to tomorrow’s careers
Find where your journey begins below
Conclusion
Large companies like Johnson Controls rely on a well-prepared workforce — however, the talent pipeline presents significant challenges.
Communication gaps, limited partnerships, and lack of industry or pathway awareness hinder the seamless flow of talent. With support from intermediaries like GPS Education Partners, these challenges become more manageable. Next Steps Businesses must begin offering students around the nation access to high-quality WBL experiences to support the economy at large and to connect each individual to a sustainable and meaningful career.
By bridging the gap between business and 1 education, intermediaries facilitate smoother communication, forge strategic partnerships, and raise awareness about available opportunities. 2
This support empowers companies like Johnson Controls to establish robust talent pipelines, while also offering innovative educational 3 programs to schools that surround regional branches and facility locations.
Next Steps
Businesses must begin offering students around the nation access to high-quality WBL experiences to support the economy at large and to connect each individual to a sustainable and meaningful career.
Evaluate the regional pipeline for new employees in your company. How are local high schools supporting this need?
Reflect on any existing or potential WBL programs. What are the barriers to success or implementation in your company?
Partner with an intermediary such as GPS Education Partners to build a high-quality and sustainable community-based WBL ecosystem.
Why GPS Ed’s ACO Process Works
GPS Ed’s ACO process is a strategic framework designed to bridge the gap between businesses, schools, and students, accelerating career readiness and technical skill development. This process emphasizes three core principles: Accelerated, Customized, and Outcomes-Based. By focusing on these areas, GPS Ed ensures that all stakeholders — businesses, schools, and students — benefit from a streamlined and effective approach to education and workforce preparation.
A. ACCELERATED
Businesses get an accelerated process for developing high-level technical skills in future workforce.
Schools get an accelerated process for partnering with businesses to provide pathways for technical careers.
Students are prepared for technical careers faster than traditional pathways.
C. CUSTOMIZED
Businesses specific needs are addressed, ie. hard and soft skill development as well as the future high-tech needs of industry.
Schools receive customization to the specific district or schools needs, ie. credentials, courses, and training. Can build or augment current programs.
Students personalized training develops around demonstrated interests and competencies.
O. OUTCOME-BASED
Businesses receive the outcomes that matter most, ie. Youth Apprentices become Registered Apprentices, employment, pipeline development, local economic impacts.
Schools see improvements on students career and college readiness and overcome barriers to providing access and equity for all students to succeed.
Students have more opportunities to enter family sustaining careers and post- secondary education while minimizing higher-ed debt.
Have questions about the Case Study or want to learn more about the power of work-based learning?
If this case study inspired you to take the next steps, we recommend the following:
- Evaluate the workforce needs in your community. How are local high schools supporting this need?
- Reflect on any existing or potential WBL program. What are the barriers to success or implementation?
- Partner with an intermediary such as GPS Education Partners to build a high-quality and sustainable community-based WBL ecosystem.
