Thank you for your interest in participating in Amarillo College's External Learning Experience (ELE) Program.
This reference guide presents an overview of the program and your responsibilities. The Student Guide to External Learning Experience that is also located on this website, provides more detailed information on the student's and college's responsibilities.
 

Procedures

1. Upon completion of a designated number of classes or enrollment in a co-requisite in the student's major of study, a student submits an application to the instructional program seeking approval to enter ELE.
2. Students must be working toward an AAS degree or in a certificate program in order to enroll in an ELE in that major area.
3. If not already employed, the student must obtain a commitment from a company agreeing to employ or intern the student during the term of the ELE. Students may be paid or unpaid. Preliminary job duties (job-related learning objectives) should be discussed.These learning objectives should relate to the competency profile for the classes the student has completed.
4. Prior to the beginning of the ELE, the student, employer, and Amarillo College enter into a written and signed training agreement for the ELE.
5. By the second week of employment, the student should finalize the job-related learning objectives with the assistance of the company supervisor and AC instructor.
6. The company supervisor is responsible for the supervision of the student for the remainder of the External Learning Experience term. The company supervisor should feel free to contact the instructor to discuss any problems or other matters. The AC instructor should visit the work site of the student at least twice during the ELE term.
7. During the last three weeks of the ELE term, the student, company supervisor, and instructor should meet to confirm achievement of the student's job-related learning objectives. This evaluation process normally consists of the student's self evaluation toward achieving the job-related learning objectives and the employer's evaluation of the student's work. The instructor uses this information to assist in assigning a grade for the student.
8. A minimum of 20 hours per week for at least 16 weeks should be expected. The employer is asked to keep a time log of the intern's time at the work site.

Colleges, businesses, and industries participating in External Learning Experiences are encouraged to refer to
appropriate labor laws for clarification of employment versus non-employment relationships. The training
must be similar to that which is given in a workforce program:

1. The training must be for the benefit of the student;
2. The student must not displace regular employees but work under their close supervision;
3. The employer that provides the training must derive no immediate advantage from the activities of the students, and on occasion the employer's operations may actually be impeded;
4.  The students should understand that they are not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the training periods, and are not entitled to wages for the External Learning Experience unless the arrangement is agreed upon with the employer.

Every effort is made to minimize any inconvenience on the employer's part.  It is Amarillo College's intention to require only those responsibilities an employer would have with any other employee except for the coordination with the instructor.  If you have questions or would like more information about participating in Amarillo College's External Learning Experience Program, please contact Ron Faulkner at rlfaulkner@actx.edu or 371-5930