Work-Based Learning Toolkit for Classrooms
The Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR) and Department of Education have partnered to increase student awareness about career opportunities in their communities and help meet South Dakota’s demand for a skilled workforce. DLR encourages schools, businesses, parents, and others in the workforce to join the effort to increase student awareness about careers so they can make informed decisions as they enter the workforce.
Contact our Education and Industry Integration Coordinator at 605.789.2275 or email with any work-based learning questions.
Work-based Learning Toolkit
To assist in this process, we have organized the following resources to assist with incorporating career information in the classroom.
Schools can edit the documents below to adjust verbiage to suit the needs of their district.
Section 1 - Youth Information |
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1 |
Youth Information |
| Quick Facts on South Dakota's Youngest Workers | |
| Youth Employment Laws | |
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Section 2 - Job Shadows |
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1 |
Job Shadow Classroom Handbook |
| Job Shadow Classroom Handbook – Word | PDF | |
2 |
Job Shadow Business Handbook |
| Job Shadow Business Handbook – Word | PDF | |
3 |
Release and Consent for Medical Treatment |
| (Select one release below) | |
| Minor Release and Consent for Medical Treatment (Under 18) – BOA Minor Release and Consent for Medical Treatment (Under 18) – Spanish |
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| Release and Consent for Medical Treatment (18 and over) - BOA Release and Consent for Medical Treatment (18 and over) -Spanish |
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4 |
Sample Student Learner Agreement |
| Sample Student Learner Agreement | |
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Section 3 - Internships |
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1 |
Internship Classroom Handbook |
| Internship Classroom Handbook – Word | PDF | |
2 |
Business Handbook |
| Internship Business Handbook – Word | PDF | |
3 |
Release and Consent for Medical Treatment |
| (Select one release below) | |
| Minor Release and Consent for Medical Treatment (Under 18) – BOA Minor Release and Consent for Medical Treatment (Under 18) – Spanish |
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| Release and Consent for Medical Treatment (18 and over) – BOA Release and Consent for Medical Treatment (18 and over) –Spanish |
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4 |
Sample Student Learner Agreement |
| Sample Student Learner Agreement | |
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Section 4 - Classroom Resources |
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1 |
Youth Engagement |
| Youth Engagement: Two Truths and a Lie Lesson Plan | |
2 |
Social Media |
| Social Media: How to Rep Yourself on the World Wide Web Lesson Plan | |
3 |
Interest Assessment |
| Interest Assessment Lesson Plan | |
4 |
Financial Literacy |
| Living Paycheck to Paycheck Lesson Plan | |
| Make a Budget Worksheet | |
5 |
Career Exploration and Preparation |
| Labor Market Research Worksheet | |
6 |
Networking Skills |
| Networking Skills Lesson Plan | |
7 |
Soft Skills: Mock Interview |
| Soft Skills: Mock Interview Lesson Plan | |
8 |
Career Seeking Skills |
| Career Seeking Skills Presentation | |
| Job Seeking Skills: Application, Cover Letter, Thank You Letter Lesson Plan | |
| Resume and Master Applications Lesson Plan | |
9 |
Soft Skills |
| Soft Skills: Right Way/Wrong Way Skits | |
| 20 Soft Skills That All Students Need Infographic | |
10 |
Job Retention |
| How to Succeed at Keeping Your Job Presentation | |
| Soft Skills: Job Retention Lesson Plan | |
11 |
National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC™) |
| National Career Readiness Certificate Prep | |
| National Career Readiness Certificate Review | |
12 |
Putting Career Exploration and Preparation Together |
| Putting Career Exploration and Preparation Together Worksheet | |
13 |
Monthly Calendar of Events |
| May 2025 | |
14 |
Virtual Career Fairs, Expos, Information Sessions |
| To be announced |
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Section 5 - Classroom Activities for Young Students |
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Career Exploration Publications |
| Career Peeks (kindergarten through second grade) | |
| Career Aware (third through fifth grade) | |
| Career Wonders (fifth through eighth grade) | |
| SD Career Interest Survey | |
2 |
Additional Career Publications |
| Career Publications | |
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Section 6 - Related Websites |
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Other Resources |
| Big Interview | |
| Bring Your 'A' Game Anywhere | |
| Career Ready SD – Work-based Learning website by SD Department of Education and DLR (Student Learner Agreement on this site) | |
| Exploring South Dakota Occupations by Career Cluster | |
| Junior Achievement | |
| My Next Move – an interactive tool for job seekers and students to learn more about their career options | Next Generation Personal Finance |
| O*NET Online – free online database that contains hundreds of job definitions to help students, job seekers, businesses and workforce development professionals to understand today's world of work in the United States | |
| Overview of the Western Governors' Association Workforce Development Initiative (YouTube video) (online link) | |
| SDMyLife | |
| Soft Skills to Pay the Bills (developed by U.S. DOL, offers an introduction to the “basics” of soft skills/workforce readiness skills to youth, including youth with disabilities.) | |
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