Work-Based Learning Strategies: A Critical Resource to Getting Your Region Back to Work
Today’s workforce landscape is evolving rapidly, creating both challenges and opportunities for jobseekers and employers alike. Many workers need support gaining the skills and experience required to thrive in high-demand industries. As we partner with Workforce Development Boards and employers across the country, we continue to see work-based learning (WBL) initiatives and funding play a vital role in helping people launch, grow, and advance their careers.
Effective, work-based learning strategies build a bridge between learning and real work experiences. WBL helps learners foster an appreciation for, and familiarity with, the workplace, develops critical skills, and establishes professional networks. It creates a clear pipeline of talent for employers and makes them partners in developing the skills our workforce needs.
In this blog, you will learn more about work-based learning and why it’s important for your region, benefits of effective WBL strategies, different types of WBL initiatives, and finally, how successful partnerships can be developed between stakeholders.
What is Work-Based Learning?
Work-based learning (WBL): activities that occur in workplaces through which youth and adults gain the knowledge, skills, and experience needed for entry or advancement in a particular field. The work experience is supplemented with instruction and activities that apply, reinforce, refine, or extend the learning that occurs during work, so that learners develop attitudes, knowledge, skills, and habits that might not develop from work experience alone.
When done well, WBL is an effective way for youth and adults to explore careers, connect with businesses, learn about the functions of an organization, and understand the relevance of their education.
Why is WBL Important?
Well-designed work-based learning opportunities provide participants with occupational and work readiness training while also providing necessary income support for disconnected and at-risk individuals. These opportunities help youth and adults make the connection between academic principles and real-world applications.
Recent research underscores this point. According to the Strada-Gallup Education Survey, students who participate in internships — particularly paid internships — report greater confidence about career opportunities, stronger self-belief in their skills, and a stronger sense of support from their colleges compared to peers without such experiences. Similarly, a RAND Corporation study found that graduates of applied occupational programs rated work-based learning experiences as among the most valuable components of their education, particularly in preparing them with real-world job skills. Together, these findings demonstrate that WBL is not just an educational add-on, but a proven pathway to stronger workforce outcomes.
What are the Benefits of Work-Based Learning?
WBL creates opportunities for employers and schools to provide structured learning experiences that develop workplace readiness, technical, and life skills. Through work-based learning experiences, educational programs become more relevant and rewarding for students, parents, educators, and employers. When the academic curriculum is made up of a customized mixture of projects, applied textbooks, and digital resources, successful participant completion is high.
Besides being an integral component of a good educational experience, work-based learning is essential to developing a region’s future workforce. For example, the National Survey of Work-Based Learning reported that more than three-quarters of students said they experienced meaningful development of their technical skills through these opportunities, and alternatively, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) found that 83% of employers who hosted interns said it helped them make better hiring decisions.
On the employer side, the benefits extend beyond skill development. Many businesses view internships and apprenticeships as talent pipelines. According to Strada’s The Power of Work-Based Learning report, employers who actively participate in WBL often experience smoother onboarding and higher retention rates because candidates are already trained in the company’s culture and processes.
Who is Involved in Work-based Learning?
The successful design and implementation of work-based learning requires collaboration among a range of workforce, industry, and education stakeholders.
WBL creates opportunities for employers and program leaders to provide structured learning experiences to develop workplace readiness, technical, and life skills. It is a process that allows participants to learn about career exploration, build business connections, gain insight into organizational functions, and understand the relevance of their education.
Effective work-based learning is usually facilitated by trained, qualified, and credentialed professionals. Partner non-profits or human service agencies may similarly employ career development staff, employment professionals, job placement specialists, or internship coordinators to help participants reach their learning goals.
What are Some Best Practices for Work-based Learning Educational Strategies?
- Early assessment: formal skill assessment and informal interest determination are both important to individualize a work-based learning program. Tests like ACT WorkKeys can be useful. An assessment baseline at the beginning aids in the process of career development and program evaluation. We often utilize Skilldex, EDSI's web-based system that surveys individual skills and identifies and catalogs the skill needs of employers, as an effective skill assessment tool.
- Mentoring: building student identity is key to postsecondary success. Mentor discussion opportunities–in person and online–are crucial to building confidence, workplace skills, and career awareness.
- Postsecondary credential: the goal of work-based learning is meaningful employment, and often a credential with value in the field (e.g., technical certificate, associate degree). Some high school work-based programs allow students to earn a job certificate and/or college credit toward a degree or other credential.
- Mapping: aligning the program to college credit requirements allows students to maximize dual enrollment credits. Programs should also be aligned with job certificates in high-demand job clusters. Skill maps should be updated at least every other year
- Leadership development: stakeholders should have the opportunity to spend time with industry partners exploring work-based competencies, cultures, and expectations.
WBL is an Effective Tool for Businesses.
The benefit of being able to try out an employee is a low-stakes way to see if they are a good fit and eliminates making a big investment up front. Wages are subsidized by various federal and local funding sources, which is also very helpful for small businesses.
For small businesses in particular, financial support can be critical. A report from the Urban Institute found that nearly 90% of small firms engaged in apprenticeship programs said wage subsidies were important in their decision to participate. This kind of support reduces risk for employers while creating opportunities for jobseekers.
What are the Types of WBL?
WBL takes several forms, some of which are highlighted below.
• On-the-Job Training (OJTs): A formal designation for a work experience developed through programs such as WIOA or TANF. The American Job Center vets candidates and the employer can interview them before agreeing to hire them for a pre-determined amount of time. Workers get paid while they learn on the job, and businesses reduce risk when hiring.
• Paid Work Experiences: Typically shorter-term, designed to help individuals practice soft skills such as reliability, punctuality, and workplace communication.
• Apprenticeships: A high-level, long-term (multi-year) work experience in the trades that results in a professional license. Many apprenticeships offer above-average wages and full benefits. Pre-apprenticeships are also available to help individuals prepare for these formal programs. Want more insights on earn-as-you-learn models? Check out this previously written blog on apprenticeship programs.
• Internships: Often for college students or WIOA/TANF Youth participants. Many EDSI programs provide paid work experience plus activities to strengthen soft skills. For a deeper dive into designing internship programs, consider reading The Essential Guide to Building a Successful Internship Program.
NC Region Spotlight: Youth Work-based Learning Program
WBL can provide a well-rounded method of building a person’s drive and professional development as they prepare for a stable and satisfying career, as demonstrated below.
Over the course of 2 years, EDSI's North Carolina region worked with community partner TRU Colors and provided 7 participants with a work-based learning experience in their specialized training boot camp where they were exposed to a wide scope of career field interests like Human Resources, Project Management, Social Media Marketing, Brewery, Finance Management and Territory Mapping. After completion of the 8-week training, all 7 participants were placed into full-time positions.
“One of our participants, Edward Green, was able to learn social media marketing, leadership and project management during his 8-week training with TRU Colors and was hired as a full-time employee in the Marketing Department. These are the types of success stories we know all regions are aiming for and with supportive and forward-thinking community stakeholders, the strategic collaboration that happens is inspiring.” -- Casey White, EDSI Marketing Director
We remain committed to creating successful regional partnerships with local workforce boards to support jobseekers and clients.
Reach out to us if you’d like to partner or hear more about how to develop strong WBL programs in your region.