Work-Based Learning

With support from business, education, community, and philanthropic partners, Workforce Solutions is launching a flexible Work-Based Learning program in West Central Texas. These opportunities allow students to explore career fields of interest and potentially work part-time at an internship for pay or credit towards high school graduation while staying on track to earn their high school diploma. They can even gain college credit or an industry credential. Work-based learning has shown to be effective in helping students meet academic milestones, and employers benefit as well. Research suggests that employers who support these partnerships have improved talent pipelines, and more engaged and productive workforces. And of course, the whole region benefits when more young people are gaining education and work experience.

About Work-Based Learning

Work-based learning (WBL) is a term that encompasses different types of educational and training opportunities that blend academics with workplace learning. Built from the premise that people learn best when they apply learning to real-life situations, WBL ensures students gain academic and practical experiences to enable them to get jobs and fill critical roles. 

The scalable Work-Based Learning program model includes industry tours, job shadowing, and internships for high school juniors and seniors. WBL partnerships include an education provider, typically a high school and postsecondary provider, and an employer. Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas plays an important intermediary role, to ease the burden of connection and implementation for both employers and educators.

WBL in West Central Texas

The Work-Based Learning program coordinated by Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas prioritizes: 

• Paid experiences
• Experiences aligned with existing regional priorities and emerging occupational areas (IT, etc.)
• Experiences that provide a positive opportunity for students, with clear associated learning outcomes and concrete roles and responsibilities for student workers. 

Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas will support WBL cohorts each year, allowing stakeholders to work and learn together while providing more efficient administration. 

Creating a WBL Opportunity

Are you an educator, employer, or student/student-parent who is interested in starting a Work-Based Learning opportunity? Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas has created resources linked below to learn more about what our work-based learning program looks like for you. 

Educator Resources

• Education Partner Guide
• Educator One Pager

Employer Resources

• Employer Partner Guide
• Employer One Pager

Student/Parent Resources

• Student/Parent One Pager