The percent of students who achieved at least one work-based learning experience while in high school reached 45% for seniors in the class of 2025, up nearly 20 percentage points with an over 76% rate of increase in the last two years
The Iowa Department of Education today released new data showing that more Iowa high school students than ever are accomplishing work-based learning experiences with 45% of all high school seniors from the class of 2025 achieving at least one work-based learning experience while in high school. Student participation is up nearly 20 percentage points over the last two years, increasing from 31.7% in 2024 and 25.5% in 2023.
“Iowa makes empowering learners with multiple pathways to postsecondary success top priority, and through the hard work of our students, educators, and employers, we have incredible progress to celebrate today,” said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow. “The 15,154 students in the class of 2025 who accomplished a work-based learning experience earned durable skills, prepared for in-demand careers, and are now realizing their futures. Across Iowa, career-connected learning is changing lives, empowering communities and strengthening economies, and we are excited to continue to expand these transformational opportunities together.”
Iowa has enacted multiple pieces of legislation championed by Governor Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education to advance career-connected learning, including 2024 legislation that better defines and supports high-quality work-based learning. Work-based learning includes sustained project-based learning in partnership with an employer, simulated work experiences aligned with industry-recognized credentials and high-quality pre-apprenticeships, student learner programs, internship and apprenticeships.
Iowa is also implementing 2025 legislation requiring career exploration beginning in the 5th grade and, now, Iowa’s class of 2026 will also be the first class to receive industry-recognized credential seals on their high school diplomas. Prior legislation also ensured qualifying Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses could count for core science and math credit and established the CTE Career Cluster Endorsement and WBL Authorization to support a strong CTE educator pipeline.
“Expanding work-based learning opportunities for students is critical to future workforce development because it creates awareness of high-quality jobs in their own backyard, teaches students how to work and communicate in the workplace and provides employers the opportunity to create long-term relationships with students in their community,” said Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend. “Registered Apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships and internships provide our students hands-on training by employers and helps prepare them for success in any industry they decide to work in.”
Through the efforts of work-based learning coordinators and career and technical student organizations in our schools and with strong support of local businesses and communities, Iowa is also expanding work-based learning opportunities with the Iowa Department of Education’s Credentials to Careers program, the STEM BEST program, and the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship at Iowa Workforce Development.
The U.S. Department of Education recently approved the Iowa Department of Education’s updated state Career and Technical Education (CTE) plan to meet the requirements of the federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V). The CTE plan prioritizes student attainment of work-based learning experiences and industry-recognized credentials. To support career-connected learning beyond CTE courses and for all students, the Iowa Department of Education’s updated state accountability plan to meet the requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) also prioritizes student attainment of work-based learning experiences, industry-recognized credentials and college credit.
More information on career-connected and work-based learning is available on the Department’s Career-Connected Learning webpage, including the Iowa Departments of Education and Workforce Development’s Work-based Learning Webinar Series.
Statements in support of work-based learning
Kristen Bandy, Iowa Association for Career and Technical Education Executive Director:
“We are thrilled to see Iowa’s strong commitment to expanding work-based learning paying off with over 15,000 students in Iowa’s Class of 2025 completing at least one high-quality experience through school-employer partnerships. Iowa ACTE is proud to be a partner to the Department and teachers in this work, helping ensure educators have the tools, strategies and industry connections they need to help more students gain access to hands-on, career-aligned opportunities.”
Joe Murphy, Iowa Business Council President:
“Expanding work-based learning opportunities across Iowa has long been a cornerstone priority for the Iowa Business Council. We are encouraged and inspired to see so many high school students actively participating in these programs, gaining valuable real-world experience that prepares them for success here in Iowa. We commend Iowa’s businesses and school districts for forging strong partnerships that make these opportunities possible. Strengthening and scaling work-based learning is not just a priority — it is mission-critical to ensuring Iowa remains competitive, attracts and retains top talent, and builds the workforce of the future.”
Amy “Bozz” Bossard, Iowa Work-Based Learning Coordinators President:
“Work-based learning experiences are allowing our students to leave high school with a deeper understanding of the opportunities available to them, in addition to the fantastic education our state already provides. WBL serves as a vital tool, connecting classroom lessons to real-world applications and helping students see the direct value of their studies. What an exciting time for our students to build skills and explore their future careers!”