Key Distinguisher #7: Social Capital
Work-based learning experiences result in young people meeting, learning from, and building authentic relationships with professionals, and expanding their social and professional networks. Adult stakeholders—particularly supervisors and mentors—receive training on youth development principles and how to effectively work with young people from diverse backgrounds, and efforts are made to ensure that young people are exposed to professionals from similar backgrounds.
Features of Social Capital
- Work-based learning stakeholders and settings honor the lived experiences, backgrounds and identities of all young people and staff by providing training and resources to promote diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplaces.
- Stakeholders provide opportunities for young people to meet and build relationships with professionals in their field of interest.
- Employers, educational institutions, and/or CBOs match young people with an advisor, coach or mentor with whom they meet regularly to discuss progress and address any issues or concerns.
- There is an intentional effort to facilitate authentic relationships between young people and professionals with similar backgrounds, demographic characteristics, experiences, and career interests.
- High schools, post-secondary institutions and CBOs partner with employers to increase access to talent from local communities.