Exemplars in Work-Based Learning
Program exemplars are work-based learning initiatives that demonstrate many of the quality indicators, serving as models for equipping learners with the skills, experiences, and supports needed for career readiness and success. Here we highlight exemplars that offer actionable insights for expanding and strengthening work-based learning opportunities. They represent the continuum of work-based learning stages—career awareness, career exploration, career preparation, and career experience—as well as a variety of activities ranging from skills-based training and internships to pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship programs.
Coalfield Development
Career Exploration Career Preparation Career ExperienceFounded in 2009, Coalfield Development is a nonprofit organization that operates a multi-tiered workforce development model to build talent, remove employment barriers, and strengthen employer capacity. The organization offers three flexible training pathways. Community Training delivers short-term, industry-specific certifications for rapid upskilling. The PATH (Professional Accelerated Training and Hiring) program offers two- to six-week courses in high-demand fields such as construction and energy technology, supported by daily stipends. WRAPS (Workforce Readiness and Professional Success) is a comprehensive, long-term program providing six months to three years of paid training, enabling participants to progress from trainees to crew members while earning associate’s degrees or trade certifications.
To date, Coalfield has trained more than 3,800 people while providing comprehensive wraparound services that support substance use recovery, reentry to the community following incarceration, and entrepreneurship—contributing to the launch of more than 90 new businesses. Its Empowered Employers (EE) Network strengthens connections between graduates and local businesses by partnering with regional workforce agencies, giving employers access to free training resources and a direct pipeline to skilled, job-ready talent.
Universal Access
Workforce programs are intentionally inclusive, with outreach that engages a broad range of applicants, including those facing employment barriers due to a criminal record or being in recovery. Programs are offered at no cost, and wraparound support is embedded from enrollment through completion to ensure fair access and participant success.
Personalized Mentorship
Industry professionals, peers, and program graduates provide ongoing, individualized mentorship to support skill development and career progression. WRAPS Crew Chiefs play a central role in mentoring trainees and crew members, reinforcing a culture of continuous learning and growth.
Intentional Alignment
Programs incorporate career guidance and case management to ensure training aligns with individual skills, goals, and long-term career pathways. Curricula are informed by labor market data and evolving employer demands to promote sustained, meaningful employment.
Pathway Integration
Coalfield Development’s training stack—from short-term community training to long-term Crew Memberships—offers industry-recognized credentials, hands-on experience, and integration with union and other apprenticeship programs. PATH and WRAPS graduates are placed in a hiring pool for employment opportunities through the EE network.
Financial Support
Program participants receive wraparound services and earn as they learn, with daily stipends provided in the PATH program to reduce financial barriers. WRAPS and Crew Membership offer paid hands-on experience and support over extended time frames, coupled with durable skills training, including financial literacy. EEs also benefit, gaining connections to wage and training reimbursement programs from partner organizations.
Collaborative Partnerships
Programs are co-designed with input from over 90 businesses, collegiate and trade schools, nonprofits, and workforce organizations. Through the EE Network, Coalfield provides employers with tools, access to reimbursements, and connection to a pipeline of prepared talent.
MACNY, The Manufacturers Association
Career Exploration Career PreparationThe Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY), is an employer association representing over 300 businesses and organizations across Central and Upstate New York. They lead a statewide consortium of intermediaries and sponsors supporting workforce development, including pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship Programs. The Real Life Rosies® career preparation program is New York’s first direct-entry pre-apprenticeship program for women in advanced manufacturing. The no-cost 12-week cohort-based model delivers training and skill development in collaboration with community colleges and workforce development partners. Participants attend two sessions per week, one focused on technical manufacturing skill training aligned with core competencies of the industrial manufacturing technician trade, culminating in OSHA 10 Certification and the Certified Manufacturing Association (CMfgA) Certificate. The second session emphasizes employability skills and job-readiness preparation, including workplace communication, resume building, and interview techniques. Participants engage with employers through career-readiness discussions and company tours with regional manufacturers. Upon program completion, all participants receive guaranteed job interviews with local employers. Initially piloted in the Mohawk Valley region, the program is now expanding to additional areas across New York State.
Universal Access
Extensive outreach is conducted through over 60 community-based partners, including social service agencies, community colleges, high schools, and refugee centers.
Personalized Mentorship
Each cohort has dedicated instructors for technical and employability skills, and optional individual tutoring sessions are offered.
Intentional Alignment
Workforce development specialists meet individually with applicants to discuss career goals and alignment with program training and objectives. They also determine support services tailored to participants’ needs.
Pathway Integration
The training curriculum is developed by community colleges with input from employer partners. Program graduates can enter Registered Apprenticeships, with classroom hours credited toward instruction requirements.
Financial Support
Participants receive incentives upon reaching key milestones, along with support for clothing, work, supplies, transportation, and child care. Support services continue for up to one year after program completion.
Collaborative Partnerships
Employers with current hiring needs actively participate in the program at no cost and offer facility tours, join panel interviews, and conduct on-site interviews for open positions. Many instructors are industry professionals, often employed by companies with hiring needs.
The Boldt Company
Career Exploration Career Preparation Career ExperienceThe Boldt Company, a national construction firm founded in 1889, utilizes a paid work-based learning program model focused on addressing workforce shortages and promoting employee longevity. With programs operating within 18 offices across the United States, Boldt’s youth apprenticeship program and participation in pre-apprenticeship programs offer pathways into Registered Apprenticeships, while their internship program provides opportunities for college students to obtain both college credit and potential for full-time employment in occupations such as project management, engineering, marketing, IT, and other industry-related fields.
Universal Access
Boldt prioritizes fair entry for applicants interested in internships or apprenticeships through key strategies and relationships with unions, educational institutions, and community and government agencies.
Personalized Mentorship
Through Boldt’s internship, youth apprenticeship, and Registered Apprenticeship Programs, learners work alongside mentors who guide, support, and provide feedback. Mentors participate in ongoing trainings that develop their leadership and support the workforce.
Intentional Alignment
Participants are thoughtfully paired with project teams based on their career interests and goals, rotate across multiple functions to deepen their exposure, and align their experiences with potential long-term pathways.
Pathway Integration
Programs provide a continuum from high school and college to career advancement in the skilled trades or operations. Pathways integrate on-the-job training and hours toward credentials while cultivating and developing a pool of qualified candidates with proven performance for long-term employability and industry alignment.
Financial Support
Boldt leverages multiple national and local funding sources to ensure resources and supportive services are accessible. Boldt’s Support Hub connects the workforce to financial and mental health resources across locations.
Collaborative Partnerships
Boldt’s strong partnerships enable program growth, community engagement, and workforce pipeline development tailored to the communities they live and work in.
John Overton High School
Career Exploration Career PreparationJohn Overton High School, a public high school in Nashville, integrates dual enrollment and work-based learning to provide students in the Academy of Information Technology’s Networking Systems pathway with meaningful, hands-on experiences and a clear path to postsecondary training and careers. In partnership with Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Nashville, students complete a Level I networking college course in their junior year and advance to a Level II college course as seniors. This model of blending coursework with work-based learning, called dual enrollment work-based courses, is co-designed and co-delivered by classroom instructors and employer partners, ensuring alignment between classroom instruction and workplace application. The school collaborates with multiple employer partners to place students in off-site IT roles where they engage in job-aligned tasks such as networking fundamentals, cybersecurity, IT troubleshooting, and digital and technical communication. In addition to technical training, students complete modules that build durable skills, which they apply in workplace settings. Classroom instructors and employer partners jointly assess student performance and skill development, contributing to course grades and supporting personalized growth. John Overton High School is actively expanding this innovative model into other academies to extend these benefits across additional pathways.
Universal Access
All students in the Academy of Information Technology with a minimum GPA of 2.0 are invited to participate. A dedicated TCAT staff member individual support to students throughout the college application process.
Personalized Mentorship
Employers provide formal feedback on student performance, including technical and durable skills, which contributes to their dual enrollment course grade and supports continued growth.
Intentional Alignment
Students explore careers and academy options their freshman year before selecting a pathway. They are matched with work-based learning opportunities aligned with their interests and career goals.
Pathway Integration
By high school graduation, students complete OSHA 10 training, earn 420 hours of college credit at TCAT, and are prepared to take the Comp TIA A+ exam.
Financial Support
Students participate at no cost, with course expenses covered through braided funding sources, including state grants. Transportation to and from the workplace is provided by a retired staff member.
Collaborative Partnerships
Courses are co-designed, co-taught, and co-graded by classroom instructors, funded by TCAT, and multiple employer partners, including Metro Nashville Public Schools. Advisory boards meet quarterly to review curriculum and certifications and update instructional practices to reflect industry needs.
Dev/Mission
Career Exploration Career PreparationDev/Mission is a workforce development nonprofit committed to diversifying the tech sector by equipping youth from Bay Area communities with the technical and professional skills needed for success in technology-driven industries. Through a comprehensive suite of programs—including STEAM education, pre-apprenticeships, internships, and digital literacy initiatives—Dev/Mission provides hands-on training, learning led by industry partners, wraparound services, and industry-recognized credentials while fostering strong employer and community partnerships to help ensure objective pathways to employment.
Universal Access
Dev/Mission strategically targets youth from communities that are underrepresented in the technology sector. Many of these young people enter the program with little to no prior exposure to computers or coding. With services offered at no cost, accessible application processes, and grassroots outreach through CBOs and alumni, the program ensures fair access to technical training and career development.
Personalized Mentorship
Each participant is matched for six months with a tech mentor for six months, who provides individualized career coaching and industry navigation. Ongoing guidance is also available from career coaches, staff, and tech professionals, with hands-on support in areas such as resume building and LinkedIn optimization.
Intentional Alignment
Participants complete a mid-program assessment with a career pathway coordinator to identify tailored next steps in employment or education. Training pathways are clearly defined—from community technology associates to IT technicians and industry apprenticeships—ensuring alignment with individual career interests and sector demands.
Pathway Integration
The curriculum includes certifications like CompTIA A+, Google IT Support, and other industry-recognized credentials. The pre-apprenticeship is registered with the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards, and site visits and fellowships with local tech companies ensure alignment with industry expectations and evolving skill needs.
Financial Support
Participants receive stipends during training, internships, and community tech support roles to remove financial barriers to engagement. Dev/Mission also connects learners to social services for food, housing, and transportation needs, and partners with Wells Fargo for financial literacy support.
Collaborative Partnerships
The program collaborates with government entities, tech employers, and academic institutions to keep programming relevant and effective. An advisory board with representatives from education, workforce, and youth development sectors meets quarterly to evaluate and enhance program outcomes.
Boston Private Industry Council (PIC)
Career Exploration Career PreparationBoston Private Industry Council (PIC), Boston’s workforce development board and school-to-career intermediary, created Tech Apprentice over 18 years ago to connect Boston Public High School students with work experience in the technology sector. Students participate in a paid six- to seven-week summer internship program, working in technology departments across a variety of industries in Boston. Internships are tailored to each student’s skill level and interests, as well as employer needs. While roles span multiple industries, common work activities are related to technology and software development, such as UX design and use of open-source code libraries, along with industry-specific duties like conducting market research and supporting digital media projects. In addition to hands-on work, internships often include career exploration and professional development opportunities, such as multi-departmental rotations. Each student is supported by a dedicated Career Specialist at their high school. Tech Apprentice is part of Mayor Michelle Wu’s Summer Jobs Program and complements the work of the workforce board’s technology sector convening, TechHire Boston. Tech Apprentice has successfully placed over 1,700 students into summer internships since its inception.
Universal Access
Career specialists are on site at all Boston public high schools and support students from the application process through internship completion. The online application is accessible to all Boston public school students ages 16 and up.
Personalized Mentorship
Each student receives tailored support from career specialists and employer supervisors. Some companies offer college intern pairings and “Friday Learns” for structured professional development.
Intentional Alignment
Students are matched with internships based on detailed preferences identified in the application, including their interests and preferred work environment. Special attention is paid to intersections of technology and other industries, such as health care technology.
Pathway Integration
Students who participate have an interest in a future career in tech and may pursue an IT major in college. Some interns earn industry-recognized credentials, such as digital badges, during their internship experience.
Financial Support
Internships are fully paid and employer-supervised. Some employers also offer additional support such as meals, college scholarships, and professional development opportunities.
Collaborative Partnerships
The program is supported by strong cross-sector collaboration with the Mayor’s Office, employers, and Boston Public Schools. Ongoing planning meetings, summer debriefs, and employer networking events for peer learning foster continuous program improvement.
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)
Career Exploration Career Preparation Career ExperienceNorthern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is advancing innovative approaches to career readiness by integrating hands-on learning and labor market-informed pathways that meet the needs of both students and employers. Through micro-internships, apprenticeships, dual enrollment, and employer-driven initiatives, NOVA ensures that students—particularly high school and community college learners—have access to real-world experiences aligned with in-demand careers. With robust financial supports, wraparound services, and intentional mentorship, NOVA is building a comprehensive talent pipeline that prepares learners for success in high-demand sectors like IT, health care, business, and advanced manufacturing.
Universal Access
NOVA ensures that students, regardless of background or income, have access to high-quality work-based learning and support services, including food pantries, tele-mental health, and credit-earning micro-internships embedded in classes. Support is also provided to younger students by extending dual enrollment opportunities to high school juniors and seniors and piloting FastForward programs in high schools to attract seniors.
Personalized Mentorship
Mentorship is embedded throughout the program, from employer-provided guidance in the Career Readiness and Leadership Institute to informal and formal mentorships supported through Talent Ready 2.0. Students benefit from direct engagement with industry professionals and adjunct faculty, who offer real-time feedback, skill-building, and job search coaching.
Intentional Alignment
The program’s structure is deeply informed by labor market information (LMI), ensuring that pathways reflect regional employer demand and equip students with relevant skills. NOVA’s high school and college-level micro-internships help students clarify career interests early, reduce uncertainty upon entering college, and align their coursework with future employment goals.
Pathway Integration
Programs offer industry-recognized credentials such as CompTIA, Google IT, SHRM, and CDL-A, with many turning into college credit. Apprenticeships in IT, automotive, and health care, along with project-based learning in humanities and technical fields, ensure that students gain skills and certifications aligned with current and future workforce needs.
Financial Support
To address economic barriers, all college internships are paid, and high school internships offer class credit. Additionally, programs such as FastForward, FANTIC, G3 Scholarships, and Grow Manassas provide students with tuition assistance, textbook support, and full-coverage funding for training in high-demand industries.
Collaborative Partnerships
Employer advisory boards, adjunct faculty partnerships, and strategic collaborations with various organizations anchor NOVA’s approach to employer engagement. These in-depth partnerships shape curriculum, provide job opportunities through guaranteed interview programs, and influence long-term programmatic design and industry-demanded offerings.
Reach University
Career ExperienceReach University, a nonprofit university dedicated to advancing on-the-job degrees and credentials, offers the Apprenticeship Degree, a job-embedded liberal studies pathway designed for working adults. Reach’s programs blend inquiry-focused seminars with real-time, on-the-job learning in participants’ current jobs. Through its Reach Teachers College, learners engage in structured teaching experiences such as classroom instruction, student mentoring, curriculum planning, and instructional support tasks. These workplace activities are integrated into the degree program and count toward academic credit. Reach’s Apprenticeship Degree is built around five core design standards: 1) Efficiency- Half of the learning arises from on-the-job work, 2) Accessibility- Learners, known as candidates, earn a wage and tuition is affordable and doesn’t require learners to accrue student debt, 3) Relevance- Courses are 100% job-embedded and contextualized to align with industry roles, 4) Affordability- Low-cost tuition, 5) Professional Capital- Students are employed from day one and graduate with enhanced career opportunities. The model is especially impactful in regions with limited access to traditional teacher training and/or higher education institutions. Reach’s Apprenticeship Degree will soon add a program in the behavioral health sector.
Universal Access
Employer partners identify and refer participants. The program uses an employer-driven admissions process, and enrollment reflects the demographics of the communities served. Its fully online model and schedule increase access for working adults.
Personalized Mentorship
Reach University utilizes an “intrusive advising” model, beginning with one-on-one onboarding and ongoing case management. This ensures consistent, personalized, and proactive mentorship throughout the program.
Intentional Alignment
Program content directly aligns with participants’ current work roles, emphasizing real-world application and skill development validated by employment experience. This approach helps students advance in their workplaces.
Pathway Integration
The program follows national standards and includes preparation for relevant licensure exams. Reach partners with over 460 K-12 employers at over 1,400 school sites nationwide to create a stackable pathway toward a degree and career in education.
Financial Support
Tuition is subsidized through braided funding, including WIOA and philanthropic contributions, resulting in a maximum expected out-of-pocket cost of $75 per month, or $900 per year, for full-time undergraduates, with no student loan debt.
Collaborative Partnerships
New standards for behavioral health degree programs are being developed in collaboration with intermediaries representing health care organizations and unions. Reach’s National Center for the Apprenticeship Degree (NCAD) offers a playbook and resources for others to implement, deploy, and scale the Apprenticeship Degree model.