Work-Based Learning

With support from business, education, community, and philanthropic partners, Workforce Solutions offers scalable work-based learning experiences of value. 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. Some opportunities may include gaining 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.

Work-Based Learning in West Central Texas

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. There are three main areas:

Learning About Work

Career Exploration - opportunities are introductory and short-term, providing opportunities to start getting to know various career fields. This might look like a career day in school, industry tours, or job shadowing.

Learning Through Work

Career Preparation - opportunities are more extended with the intent of increasing knowledge within a particular field and gaining employability skills. These include internships, service-learning, and pre-apprenticeships.

Learning At Work

Career Training - opportunities to participate as paid employees in order to gain specific skills alongside educational/training instruction for a given industry or occupation. This if often delivered through apprenticeships or on-the-job training.

Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas plays an important intermediary role to ease the burden of connection and implementation for both employers and educators. These efforts also ensure experiences are aligned with existing regional demand industries and occupations and emerging occupational areas (IT, etc.).

Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas provides ongoing support to WBL cohorts each year, allowing stakeholders to work and learn together while providing more efficient administration. Please check the calendar below for important dates and upcoming events related to work-based learning.

Work-Based Learning