Business and Community Partnerships
Work-Based Learning (WBL) is a learning strategy that allows students to connect classroom knowledge and skills to work experiences and future college and career opportunities. Conducted in partnership with business/industry, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
Partnerships ensure a wide range of opportunities that offer students hands-on learning experiences in and outside their classrooms. This page provides the steps to take to become a partner with the Omaha Public Schools.
The Health Professions Academy has helped me become a certified nursing assistant and by the end of my senior year I’ll be a pharmacy technician. It’s also helped me build character by giving me leadership roles and being more confident in my day-to-day life.
- TeSani, Medical and Therapeutic Services, Benson High
Steps to Becoming a Partner
Step 1: Partner Interest Form
- First, get to know us by reading the About Omaha Public Schools page. Then click “SCHOOLS” at the top right of the page to visit the webpages for any of our 65 elementary schools, 13 middle schools, 9 high schools, one K-12 virtual school, and 8 alternative programs.
- Secondly, prospective partners will also familiarize themselves with the Omaha Public Schools College Career Academies and Pathways.
- Thirdly, prospective partners will complete the Omaha Public Schools Partner Interest Form to begin the partner onboarding process. Our business partner liaison will then follow up within five business days.
Step 2: Partner Onboarding Session
- The business partner liaison will schedule an onboarding session. That includes:
- Introduction to the Omaha Public Schools and its mission, vision, and values.
- How the Portrait of a Graduate prepares all students for success post-graduation.
- Knowing your “Why” and how Work-Based Learning (WBL) benefits students, employers, and educators.
- How partners can collaborate through numerous engagement opportunities.
Step 3: Partner Collaboration
- The business partner liaison will utilize the information collected to choose prospective schools that fit both their and the partner’s priorities.
- The partner will then be introduced to prospective schools that align with their interests and relevant career pathways.
Step 4: Partnership Planning
- With the support of the business partner liaison, the partner and school representatives will brainstorm ideas for student experiential activities.
- The partner and the school representatives will agree upon the best fit for future partnerships before moving forward. An action plan will be created to follow the rest of the school year.
Step 5: Implementation & Reflection
- As activities/events take place, the business partner liaison will work with partners and school representatives to track participation and achievement.
- Reflections will take place at the end of each school year to best prepare business partners and school partners to continue to work together the following school year.
Benefits for Students
- Expanding Career Education Experiences: Students gain a greater understanding of their fields of interest alongside the lessons in the Portrait of a Graduate.
- Enhance Employability Skills: Students are exposed to the practices and expectations of the workplace.
- Apply Classroom Learning: Students go beyond classroom learning and apply their learned skills.
- Build Confidence and Motivation: Students are motivated to complete their K-12 requirements and to make informed decisions on postsecondary opportunities and career choices.
Benefits for Business and Community
Partners are critical to helping prepare our students for success after high school by aiding with industry-relevant engagement experiences. Businesses and community partners benefit from working with the Omaha Public Schools by growing strong future leaders here in Omaha, leading to our city becoming a better place to live and work.
As a partner, you are not only providing opportunities for your future workforce, but there are numerous additional benefits:
- Enhanced corporate and community image
- Improved employee morale
- Employee recruitment and retention
- Workforce development
Partner Engagement Opportunities
- Guest Speakers – Bring real-world applications to the classroom on a one-time or recurring basis.
- Career Mentors – Meet regularly over the course of the year with a group of students, helping them explore and learn about career fields. Assist with college and career planning and goal setting.
- Curriculum Feedback – Recommend industry certifications and help edit curriculum to meet industry standards.
- Experiential Activities – Promote your career field and allow students to see your industry closed in half-day or full day tours.
- Mock Interviews – Assist in career day opportunities and soft-skill training.
- Volunteers for Large Events – Large events take place throughout the year when volunteers are always welcome.
- Teacher Externship – Help teachers stay current and learn practical applications for what they teach. Host a team of academy pathway teachers for two-to-three days in your business.
- Job Shadowing – Allow students to complete a job shadowing day in your business.
- Student Internship – Provide an internship within a related business or industry.
- Facility Space – Host groups of students, educators, or advisory committee members at your facility for a meeting or experiential event such as a tour.
- Advisory Board or Committee – Meet approximately four to six times a year with other academy partners to provide industry guidance to the program.
Contact Us
If you have questions about partnering with the Omaha Public Schools, please reach out to our Business Partner Liaison, Chris Humphries below.
Chris Humphries
Business Partnership Liaison
531-299-9052