Partner With Us
Help students build their futures while strengthening your workforce.
Des Plaines Valley Region (DVR) partners with local businesses and organizations to connect students with meaningful work-based learning opportunities. Together, we help students explore careers, apply their classroom learning, and develop the skills they need to succeed in the workplace.
Why Partner with DVR?
Build Your Future Workforce
Introduce students to your industry early and help develop a pipeline of future talent. DVR pays students’ wages during their work-based learning placements, allowing your organization to focus on providing meaningful experience, supervision, and guidance that helps students build their skills.
Help Shape Career Preparation
Share the skills, expectations, and knowledge that matter in your workplace. Your involvement helps students connect their education to real industry needs.
Develop Your Team’s Leadership Skills
Give employees opportunities to mentor students, share their expertise, and practice communication and leadership skills.
Strengthen Your Community
Expand access to career opportunities for local students while building connections with schools and other regional partners. Your participation can help students discover a career path they may never have considered.
What Is Work-Based Learning?
Work-based learning (WBL) connects classroom instruction with real workplace experiences. Through interactions with professionals, hands-on activities, and workplace placements, students build technical skills, practice professional communication, and learn what it takes to succeed in a career.
For employers, it is an opportunity to introduce students to your organization and contribute directly to their preparation for the workforce.
Ways to Get Involved
Whether you can offer a single experience or an ongoing placement, there are several ways to make an impact:
- Host a workplace visit or job shadow: Give students a closer look at your workplace, career roles, and daily operations.
- Speak with students: Share your career journey and industry insights through a classroom visit or career panel.
- Mentor a student team: Help students work together to solve an authentic industry problem.
- Provide a paid work-based learning placement: Give students opportunities to apply their skills, gain experience, and contribute to your organization.
Let’s Explore a Partnership
Connect with DVR to discuss your organization’s interests and explore opportunities that fit your workplace. Together, we can help students gain the experience, confidence, and connections to take their next step.
Email: careercoordinator@dvr-efe.org
Phone: 708-779-4901