Work-based learning allows students the chance to apply classroom learning to real work environments—through internships, job shadowing, youth apprenticeships, and more. 

Through these experiences, students can explore careers, develop core skills, and build workforce readiness before graduation.

For employers, it’s a practical way to bring students into your workplace and introduce them to your industry. Work-based learning is structured, scalable, and a key part of Indiana’s new high school graduation requirements, which recognize hands-on vocational training as a vital path to student readiness and success.

The Indiana Department of Education defines work-based learning (WBL) as sustained ongoing interaction between students and industry professionals in real or simulated workplace settings. These experiences provide authentic, hands-on learning opportunities that help students build knowledge, skills, and career-ready competencies. Work-based learning is intentionally connected to course standards and training goals and is evaluated to ensure students meet those expectations. Each WBL experience requires a written partnership agreement and plan involving the student, parent or guardian, school, and employer partner. 

Independent Work-Based Learning is for work-related experiences not tied to a school course.

• General WBL - Summer, after-school, and weekend work-based learning on your own. Minimum 25-hour experience

• Micro Internship - Minimum 25-hour experience. Example: a specific job worked over a school break. 

Academic Work-Based Learning is work-based learning that is tied to a school course. 

• CEI: Career Exploration Internship

• Cadet Teaching

• NLPS Pathway Capstones

• Industry-Developed Team Challenge (PBL: Project-Based Learning)

• School-Based Enterprise

• Student Entrepreneurial Experience

• Academic Internship

• Technical Internship

Indiana Career Scholarship Account

• HCN - Hendricks College Network - Mill Creek's College and Career Intermediary

• Work and Learn Indiana Resource Hub

• Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) - Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship

• EARN - Employment Aid Readiness Network - Receive half of student wages back from the State in qualified positions

• Ascend Indiana Work-Based Learning

• Indiana Employer's Guide to Internships