WBL - Work-Based Learning

What is Work-Based Learning?

WBL is a partnership between education and business to create a skilled workforce for now and for the future. The skills needed in today’s business world are very diverse; it can be difficult to meet the demand with the traditional school-based model.

In a WBL model, schools provide classroom theory and supportive technical training in a student’s chosen career plan and businesses provide students the opportunity to experience and master their skills in a live setting. There are many different types of WBL experiences from mentoring a student at school, to job shadowing, internships, or apprenticeships at the business.

WBL experiences provided by business interaction creates a relevance to the technical training that is difficult to achieve in the classroom. WBL provides students critical insights to help them be successful whether they choose college or career.

Job Shadowing

Job shadow experiences allow participants to explore specific careers of interest by observing experienced employees performing their typical work duties in real-world work environments. The job shadowing work experience is a temporary, unpaid exposure to the workplace in an occupational area of interest to the participant. Job shadowing typically includes a partnership between a business and education/training institution and provides relevant career information to assist participants.

Internships

A position for a student or trainee to work in an organization for a limited time, sometimes without pay, to gain work experience, satisfy requirements for a credential and/or gain course credit. An internship may be arranged within the private for-profit sector, the nonprofit sector or the public sector. With the passage of SB 1171 in 2018, Oklahoma employers can participate in Oklahoma’s registered internship program as of July 2018. The program creates a competitive recruitment process so employers can find the best intern to meet their organizations’ needs. (See Timeline and Definitions for more information.)

Apprenticeships

Highly formal job training experience that involves studying with a master of the trade or experienced mentor on the job. Registered apprenticeships refer to those programs that are registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Registered apprenticeship programs are written plans designed to move apprentices from low- or no-skill entry-level positions to full occupational proficiency. Registered apprenticeships are employer-driven, earn while you learn models that combine on-the-job training with related technical instruction, resulting in industry-recognized national certifications upon completion. (See Timeline and Definitions for more information.)