At The Oberle Academy, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Through our Education for Employment (EFE) program, students take what they learn at school and apply those skills in real workplaces across our community. EFE students gain the experience, confidence, and practical skills they need to step into adulthood ready for success.
Through EFE, Oberle students are also living out the Profile of a Virginia Graduate and the Virginia Department of Education’s Five C’s—critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship. This framework emphasizes building core skills early and creating multiple pathways toward college and career readiness, including internships, externships, and credentialing. Our students demonstrate these Five C’s daily as they problem-solve on job sites, work alongside community mentors, communicate professionally, contribute as responsible citizens, and apply creativity and teamwork in authentic work environments.
We are deeply grateful to our community partners to include Habitat for Humanity, the Fredericksburg Food Bank, and the SPCA for welcoming our students into their organizations. By opening their doors, these partners provide far more than job sites—they provide mentorship, patience, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. Our students gain firsthand insight into different industries while learning what it truly means to be part of a team.
Through EFE, students develop the durable skills that employers value most: communication, time management, responsibility, problem-solving, adaptability, and professionalism. These “durable skills”— often referred to as soft skills—are the building blocks of long-term success, no matter what career path our students choose.
Each Oberle student is supported along the way with résumé development, ongoing mentoring, and transportation to and from their job sites. Students are also eligible to receive stipends, recognizing their effort and reinforcing the importance of accountability and growth.Education for Employment is more than a program—it’s a confidence-building journey that empowers
students to see themselves as capable contributors to their community. Thanks to the generosity and partnership of businesses in our community, Oberle students are not just learning about the workplace they are actively experiencing it! Interested in sharing your workplace with our amazing students and shaping futures? Reach out to [email protected] to find out more.