Employer Benefits
- Develop Skilled Talent: WEE helps students become more effective, productive employees as they transition into the workforce with real-world experience.
- Lower Training Costs: By partnering with WEE, employers benefit from a pipeline of motivated, pre-trained talent—reducing the cost of building a highly skilled workforce.
- Better Hiring Outcomes: Research shows that students who complete internships are hired more frequently and tend to stay with their employers longer.
- No Added Liability: For unpaid WEE placements, the college provides Worker’s Compensation coverage for participating students.
Learn More
Shape the future workforce while gaining access to motivated, skilled talent. Saddleback College's Work-Based Experiential Learning Program connects your business with ambitious college students eager to make an impact. Together, we bridge the gap between education and industry, creating opportunities for students and delivering value to your organization.
Partnering with Saddleback College's Work-Based Experiential Learning program will:
- Build a Talent Pipeline - Invest in the next generation of employees by offering valuable work experience to college students. Identify and nurture talent before they enter the job market.
- Gain Fresh Perspectives - Students bring innovative ideas, creativity, and energy that can enhance your business and spark new solutions.
- Strengthen Community Ties - Showcase your commitment to local development and education. Participating in work-based experiential learning demonstrates your dedication to fostering a thriving community.
- Enhance Your Team - Provide mentorship and training that benefits your organization while empowering students. Leverage their enthusiasm to advance your projects and initiatives.
As part of our commitment, Saddleback College could reimburse employers up to 50% of interns' wages, making it easier to invest in talent and reduce costs for the following targeted program areas:
- STEM Programs - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
- Advanced Manufacturing - Fundamentals of Industrial Automation and Electronics
- Advanced Transportation and Automotive Technology - Electric Vehicle (EV) Technology
- Computer Science and Computer Information Management (CIM) - Software Development, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity
- Construction and Architecture
The student is responsible for regular attendance at work and college, appropriate appearance and performance, positive attitude and good human relationships, job skills, and educational progress.
The employer's responsibilities include providing a suitable work station, work experiences which have educational value for the student, and supervision to help the student progress on the job and accomplish specific on-the-job learning objectives.
The college provides organization, coordination, supervision and maintenance of student records. A college instructor will visit and counsel with the student and employer during the semester and, together with the supervisor, determine the student's grade.
- Employer Agreement (COMING SOON)
- U.S. Department of Labor: Wage and Hour Division - Fact Sheet #71: Internship Programs Under The Fair Labor Standards Act
- SOCCCD’s Board Policy for Work Experience Education
- California Code Regulations Memo from the Chancellor’s Office
Your Impact Starts Here
By partnering with us, you play a vital role in shaping students' futures and strengthening the local workforce. Together, we can empower the next generation of talent and foster innovation in your industry.
Ready to Make a Difference? Contact Israel Dominguez, Director of Economic and Workforce Development, at idominguez@saddleback.edu or call (949) 582-4777 to get started.