Career-Connected Learning (Career Exploration & Work-Based Learning)

Iowa Career-Connected Learning

Career-connected learning includes a continuum of structured activities utilizing the partnership between industry and education to engage student learning. Through real or simulated experiences with industry professionals, participants are able to foster first-hand engagement with in-depth application of academic, technical and professional skills to the tasks required of a given career field while meeting specific learning objectives. Career-connected learning is a progression through the two stages of career exploration and work-based learning to support student learning for future success.

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Career-Connected Learning = Career Exploration + Work-Based Learning

The passage of Senate File 2411 in May 2024 clarified a consistent definition of work-based learning as, “sustained project-based learning in partnership with an employer, simulated work experiences aligned with industry-recognized credentials, high-quality pre-apprenticeships aligned to an apprenticeship, student learner programs, internships, and apprenticeships.” Other activities like career fairs, business tours, job shadows and employability skills courses are no longer considered work-based learning, but rather “career exploration.” The combination of career exploration and work-based learning is now referred to as “career-connected learning.”

Iowa Career-Connected Learning

Career exploration activities help students in learning about work, while work-based learning supports students working to learn the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the workplace and beyond. It’s important these two stages are carefully connected and build on each other. This alignment ensures students get the best possible learning experience, develop important skills and are prepared for success after high school.

Note: All guides, toolkits, websites and related resources are being updated to reflect these new terminology changes. Some may still use the old definition of work-based learning or include outdated graphics. We appreciate your patience while we work on these updates.

Coding & Reporting Work-Based Learning Experiences

Beginning with the 2024-25 academic year, work-based learning reporting will reflect the new state definition referenced above for Iowa’s new, unified Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) school accountability system, which includes work-based learning experiences attained in the Postsecondary Readiness Indicator, and Iowa’s Perkins Secondary Career and Technical Education 5S3 work-based learning measure. Schools will leverage existing SCED codes and new embedded work-based learning codes to report these activities to the Iowa Department of Education. Refer to the Student Reporting in Iowa (SRI) Data Dictionary and Iowa School Performance Profiles Technical Guide for additional information.

FAQ & Guidance

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Career-Connected Learning at Schools

High School Internships

Internships provide students with a hands-on opportunity to develop career and professional skills with an industry partner in a workplace setting.

  • Iowa Internship Toolkit - Highlights key components of a high-quality internship program to prepare students for success in postsecondary education, training and careers.
  • High School Internship Guidance - Provides information on designing various types of internship opportunities and support for students participating in internships.
  • Operational Sharing for Work-Based Learning Coordinators - Defines school district use of operational sharing for work-based learning coordinators under chapter 97. 
  • Sample Training Plan - A template that can be used as an evaluation tool for an internship program.
  • Sample Training Agreement - An example of a contract to be signed before a student participates in an internship.
  • Multioccupations Endorsement - An endorsement designed for those who supervise students in on-the-job situations such as cooperative education programs and school-to-work programs.
  • Iowa Work-Based Learning Endorsements - Details of the multioccupations coordinator and work experience coordinator endorsement certifications.
  • Formal Opinion - Iowa Code 92.9 - This is the formal opinion from the Department about Iowa Code 92.9. Note page two, paragraph three, "In order to properly oversee student progress and award credit, the district instructor must evaluate student progress at the worksite quarterly with additional visits as needed. Direct questions to Thomas Mayes, General Counsel for the Iowa Department of Education.

High School Apprenticeships and Pre-Apprenticeships

In June 2024, the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship (IOA) at Iowa Workforce Development was officially recognized as a State Apprenticeship Agency by the U.S. Department of Labor. This office can now help schools create, implement and maintain high-quality apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships throughout the state, including for young people under 18. Check out the links below to learn more, and consider contacting IOA staff to discuss opportunities.

Iowa Office of Apprenticeship

Quality Pre-Apprenticeship (QPA) Program

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Career-Connected Learning at Community Colleges

Iowa’s 15 community college districts, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Education and Future Ready Iowa, are focused on increasing Work-Based Learning opportunities for students and employers, regardless of industry, size and geographic location to meet Iowa’s workforce needs.

Community colleges offer many work-based learning experiences within the curriculum, offering internships, practicums and career exploration. Transfer majors are also being built between the community colleges and universities with related work experiences in mind. Guidance for developing work-based learning within the curriculum is available within the following resources.

Marketing Documents for Iowa Community College Work-Based Learning Opportunity

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Work-Based Learning Coordinator Newsletter

The Work-Based Learning Coordinator newsletter is sent out every month providing timely updates, resources and professional learning opportunities to work-based learning coordinators and those who support them.

Sign up to get the Work-Based Learning Coordinator newsletter.

Previous Editions

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Resources

Career-Connected Learning Toolkits - Provides tools, and recommendations to address barriers to increasing opportunities for high school students, while also providing a wide range of real-world examples from across the state that can be modeled and replicated within local communities.

Perkins V - Work-Based Learning Funding Considerations

Sectors of Opportunity - Iowa Career Pathway Mapping Projects - Opportunity documents have been created for information technology, energy and utilities, advanced manufacturing, health sciences, building and trades, and transportation, distribution and logistics.

Embedding Work-Based Learning - Provides planning support when embedding work-based learning experiences into courses.

Providing Equitable Student Access and Support for Work-Based Learning - Strategies to overcome student access barriers to work-based learning.

Business Education Alliance Work-based Learning Schematic - Overview of work-based learning opportunities and resources in Iowa.

STEM BEST Grant Funding 

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Work-Based Learning Strategies Webinar Series

A five-part webinar series focusing on key work-based learning support strategies to help connect classroom instruction and in-school supports with quality workplace experiences. 

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Professional Organizations

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WBL Contacts

The Iowa Department of Education and Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) support the continued development of work-based learning. Coordination between these two agencies helps create and expand WBL programs and participants across the state.

For Schools

Schools can contact the Iowa Department of Education for next steps regarding WBL participation with their students.

For Employers

Employers can contact the Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) to brainstorm ideas, facilitate meetings with potential partners, design work-based learning programs and learn about financial resources. See IWD's Work-Base Learning website for more information.

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