Work-Based Learning
Join the Heart of Texas Regional Pathways Network in expanding access to high-quality Work-Based Learning opportunities that help students develop skills, explore careers, and enhance career readiness!
STUDENT BENEFITS
WBL opens the door to career pathways, offering invaluable experiences that help students explore interests, build and apply academic and technical skills, and develop professional networks. From tackling real-world projects to gaining certifications, students leave prepared to excel in their chosen fields.
EDUCATOR BENEFITS
WBL enhances curriculum by bridging classroom concepts and theory with industry needs and practices. It supports educators in delivering impactful instruction by equipping them with dynamic teaching opportunities and positioning them as facilitators of career readiness.
EMPLOYER BENEFITS
WBL offers employers the opportunity to cultivate emerging talent, mentor the future workforce, and address skills gaps through internships, apprenticeships, and job shadowing. Partnering with schools and colleges helps build a pipeline of well-prepared employees, shape career pathways, and gain fresh perspectives.
Work-Based Learning Definition
Practical, hands-on activities or experiences through which a learner interacts with industry professionals in a workplace, whether in an in-person, virtual, or simulated setting. Learners prepare for employment or advancement along a career pathway by completing purposeful tasks that develop academic, technical, and employability skills.
Work-Based Learning Continuum
WBL operates on a continuum of activities designed to extend classroom learning and prepare students for future careers. It includes three stages: Learning About Work, Learning Through Work, and Learning At Work. Each stage builds on the previous one, guiding students from awareness to hands-on experience, helping them develop the skills and knowledge needed for success. Roll over the boxes below to learn more about each stage.
Learning About Work
The Career Exploration Stage
Career Exploration Activities
Learning Through Work
The Career Preparation Stage
Career Preparation Activities
Learning At Work
The Career Training Stage
Career Training Activities
Regional Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Several Work-Based Learning programs already exist in the Heart of Texas region that local businesses can participate in and learn more about. Links to and brief summaries of those programs are provided below. Click the title in each box to visit the program’s web page. Please note that each program link is an external link and will take you away from this current web page.
Apprenticeship USA
The Office of Apprenticeship promotes and helps employers and other organizations develop quality, accessible Registered Apprenticeship opportunities for workers seeking higher-skilled, higher-paying jobs and organizations seeking to build a qualified, diverse, and inclusive workforce. The Office of Apprenticeship oversees the National Registered Apprenticeship System, which involves employers, industry associations, labor, education providers, Apprenticeship Industry Intermediaries, State Apprenticeship Agencies, and other Registered Apprenticeship stakeholders and sponsors.
TWC Apprenticeship Program
The Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) Office of Apprenticeship supports apprenticeship programs that help employers build their current and future talent and workers progress in their careers and move into better-paying jobs. These programs support the creation and expansion of apprenticeships throughout the state.
LEAD Program
The Leadership, Education and Development (LEAD) Program connects high school students with mentors from the local business community to foster leadership skills, career exploration, and personal growth. Through one-on-one mentoring and collaborative activities, students gain valuable insights into various industries while building meaningful relationships with community leaders. The program empowers participants to envision and prepare for a successful future.
AHEC Scholars Program
The Texas AHEC East (TAE) AHEC Scholars Program recruits and trains a diverse group of health profession students from across the TAE service region, creating an interprofessional team of health professionals committed to serving rural and/or underserved communities and the transformation of health care in Texas. It’s a national two-year program for students enrolled in various health professions programs. AHEC Scholars is ideal for students interested in obtaining additional training and team-based clinical experiences working in rural areas and/or with underserved populations.
CHAMPS
The Careers in Health and Medicine Program (CHAMPS) is a 5-day healthcare summer camp for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in healthcare. CHAMPS engages students of color, first generation students, and students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds with opportunities to explore working in a healthcare setting while learning from experienced physicians, providers, and health professionals about their work.
YES! High School Student Welding Internship Program
The YES! High School Student Welding Internship program is an initiative of Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas and Waco ISD’s Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy (GWAMA). The goal of the program is to provide GWAMA students with a paid internship that provides them with hands-on work experience with local businesses.
YES! Expo
The YES! Expo is the region’s premier career exploration event for high school students. Hosted by Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas since 2016, this annual event features over 200 employers, organizations, and post-secondary institutions to help high school students in the six-county region learn more about their local career and educational opportunities. The 2025 YES! Expo is set for May 2, 2025. Learn more about last year’s event, and subscribe for news alerts for the 2025 event.
Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs)
A Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a nationally-recognized credential. Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas collaborates with local educational institutions and employers to introduce Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) to the region, fostering workforce development and career opportunities.