Here is a program that is going to help your business grow. The Work Based Learning (WBL) program offers you as a member a great opportunity to work with students that attend the career and tech centers in New Hampshire and Vermont. This helps students in the programs gain field experience in the landscape industry. The program has also received the stamp of approval from the State of New Hampshire Labor Board and the Dept. of Education.

We as members of NHLA have been struggling with the labor shortage for years. This program allows you to hire a young student under the age of 18, which we all know was difficult because of labor restraints.

Please check out the information below, which will give you some idea of the benefits you can receive by taking part in this program. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. — Jim Moreau

XTE Centers and WBL

Work-based learning (WBL) is an essential component of preparing young people for bright futures in careers with New Hampshire employers. Career and Technical Education (CTE) centers offer programs that combine academic and technical skills to prepare students for careers. CTE centers extended learning opportunities (ELOs) and apprenticeships are all high-value WBL experiences for high school aged learners, and these opportunities extend to young people choosing to continue their educations at Community College System of NH (CCSNH) college CTE programs.

NHLA members can engage with MST-CTE (Manchester School of Technology and Career and Technical Education Center) or any other CTE Center programs by offering work-based learning, visiting classrooms, serving on program advisory committees, or by gaining a tax advantage through time and material donations.

MST and the NHLA have an existing WBL in place that:

• Provides a sustained, applied educational experience,
• Prepares students for work by applying core competencies and enhancing employability skill
  through real-world application,
• Expands students’ knowledge and exposure to career pathways,
• Is designed around authentic real-world work environments,
• Can be credit bearing.

This can include, but is not limited to, experiences such as internships, work placement, jobs, or through mechanisms such as an extended learning opportunity, Learn Everywhere, or apprenticeship.

NHLA businesses participating in a WBL program can receive a Career and Technical Education Tax Credit. On July 1, 2019 RSA 188 –E: 9-a came into effect allowing for businesses donating time, money, and goods to career & technical education (CTE) centers to receive tax credit against business profit taxes:

• up to 50% for salaries of students and supervisors participating in work-based learning experiences
• up to 100% for supplies and equipment donated for related use to an educational program offered by the
  regional CTE center.
• up to 50% of the cost of apprenticeship and training programs offered by the regional CTE center, including
  the compensation of employees and direct supervision and training of students in a CTE center program.

CTE Tax Credit FAQ, Tax Donation Form and more resources

NH CTE Centers
Please feel free to reach out to any of the CTE Centers. They are all over the state and just waiting to get involved.