Work-Based Learning (WBL) is a vital component to ensuring students are prepared for pathways from education to career. In addition, WBL contributes to the development of a skilled talent pipeline that benefits individuals, employers, and communities. However, access to and lack of participation in work-based learning programs persists for many high school studentsi ii.
While work-based learning is often used to describe a continuum of work-related exposure activities spanning elementary and secondary gradesiii, more suitably known as Career Connected Learningiv, we use WBL in the context of internships, cooperative education (co-ops), and apprenticeships.
Work-based learning is “learning through work” - activities that occur in the workplace and provide meaningful, practical work related to a student’s field of study or career interests. It develops students’ skills, knowledge, and readiness for work and supports entry or advancement in a particular career fieldv. By providing a platform for students to contextualize, reinforce, and apply their classroom learning, work-based learning aids in cultivating students’ exposure to and enthusiasm for various career fields while simultaneously clarifying their educational and career objectivesvi. Furthermore, work-based learning enhances students’ immediate and long-term employment prospects. Work-based learning programs that provide occupational skills training aligned to industry demands can lead to improved employment and earnings outcomes, especially for individuals from low-income householdsvii.
If implemented effectively, WBL serves as a high-impact practice that creates opportunities for students to acquire the skills and knowledge valued by employers while also strengthening students’ pathways from education to career.
Successful work-based learning programs are characterized by several key features that ensure participants can thrive and advance in their chosen career pathsviii ix:
- Meaningful Experiences for Skill Development:
- Work-based learning programs provide participants with opportunities to acquire both industry-specific technical skills and durable skills.
- This alignment ensures that participants are equipped with the knowledge and abilities necessary to succeed in their chosen fields.
- Participants engage in tasks that are relevant to their career goals, ensuring they gain practical experience in real-world environments supported by appropriate mentoring and supervision.
- Identification and Measurement of Target Skills:
- Work-based learning programs identify target skills and establish clear methods for measuring skill gains.
- This mutual understanding between students and employers enhances the value of work-based learning, fostering continuous learning and integration with broader educational goals related to a student’s Individual Learning Plan.
- It is critical educators work with employers to identify their skills needs, clarify what students should learn and accomplish through work-based learning, and develop experiences that meet the needs of all stakeholders.
- Rewarding Skill Development:
- Furthermore, successful programs reward skill development, offering opportunities for participants to grow and advance through increasingly challenging tasks and responsibilities.
- Recognition and rewards may include increased wages, academic creditx, pathways to permanent employment, or other relevant means that provide students an opportunity to increase learning outcomes.
- Supports College Entry and Completion:
- Work-based learning should align with a credential or postsecondary degree. Work-based learning supports college entry, persistence, and completion by contextualizing classroom learning, accelerating academic progress, and demonstrating the real-world relevance of education.
- This alignment between academic and work-based learning objectives ensures students are equipped with the skills and credentials needed for success in the labor market.
- Comprehensive Student Supports:
- Comprehensive student supports are essential for the success of work-based learning programs.
- These supports include career navigation structures, advising, counseling services, and access to resources such as transportation.
- By addressing barriers to participation, these supports contribute to the success of all participants and ensure equitable access to opportunities.
Resources Required
Successful work-based learning requires collaboration among various stakeholders including employers, schools and educators, workforce development agencies, and community organizations. The absence of these partnerships will result in inequitable access for students to participate and less than desired program quality. At a minimum, other key resources include program planning and coordination, alignment to students’ Individual Learning Plans, funding, and adherence to Kentucky’s Work-Based Learning Program Standards. Districts should consult the Kentucky Department of Education’s Work-Based Learning Manual for additional guidance that will assist in determining necessary resources.
