GFW Public Schools is proud to announce a new bold update to its attendance procedures that puts career exploration front and center. Starting this school year, juniors and seniors will be allowed to be excused from school for up to four days per year to take part in work-based learning experiences including job shadowing, internships, trade tours, and career fairs. This reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to not only college and career readiness, but local workforce development.
Superintendent Allen Berg said the change will give students real-world exposure to skilled trades and potential job opportunities by allowing time to cultivate connections with local and regional businesses. “We’re removing barriers and giving students the freedom to figure out who they want to be,” said Superintendent Allen Berg. “Whether it’s a job shadow in healthcare, a construction site visit, or time with a local business owner, we want to let students explore.”
This change builds on GFW’s long-standing support for college visits by showing that career exploration is just as important for students looking ahead to what comes after high school.
Northland Lumber & Supply, a full-service lumberyard with more than a century of combined expertise in building and construction is one local business that is interested in offering mentoring, job shadowing, and project-based learning for GFW students.
Kelly Lutgen, of Northland Lumber & Supply in Fairfax, shared that the district’s focus on workforce development and career exploration is as much about community investment as it is about education. “When students can take what they learn in class and apply it in a real-world setting, they gain confidence, skills, and a clearer vision for their future,” Lutgen said. “By supporting GFW’s career pathways and connecting with students, we’re helping to grow the next generation of skilled workers right here in our community and that benefits students, local employers, and the region as a whole.”
What This Means for Students
First-Hand Experience: Access to practical learning through job shadowing, internships, and project-based exposure will be viewed in the same way as college visits for juniors or seniors.
Skill-Building Pathways: Clear, connected programs helping students advance from introductory exploration to preparation for industry roles or further study based on the needs of local employers with real-world connections.
Workforce Development: Building a pipeline of locally trained talent, grounded in applicable workplace skills and supported by mentorship from experienced professionals and aligned to regional workforce needs.
Student Reflection: Each student will complete a short, guided reflection after their experience - thinking through what they saw, what sparked their interest, and what they learned about how to pursue that career path. These reflections will be reviewed and our administrative team will work with students to help plan relevant coursework to achieve their goals.
This initiative is part of GFW’s broader effort to enrich its Academies & Pathways programming by empowering students to explore diverse career routes while fostering partnerships with local employers. The change is a recognition that not every successful future starts on a college campus and that students deserve time and space to explore all possibilities.