The Work and Learn Resource Hub

The Work and Learn Resource Hub is designed to support employers, educators and community partners navigate the work-based learning experience ecosystem. Users will be able to learn how the state defines work-based learning experiences, gain knowledge on the process and procedures necessary to design and continue to develop work and learn programs and connect to others that are offering high-quality opportunities.

Some additional features include:

  • How to connect to work-based learning coordinators and candidates
  • Understanding Department of Labor laws and regulations
  • Financial incentives for hosting work-based learning experiences
  • Connect to statewide workshops and communities of practice

Where Do You Begin?

Understanding the work-based learning landscape can be difficult whether you are a learner, parent, family member, employer or educator. We make it easy to navigate to resources within the site and externally. Should you need additional support at anytime, connect with one of our staff members for more information.

Let one of our team members support you in connecting to the WBL resources you need to be successful.

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What are Work-based Learning Experiences?

Work-based learning (WBL) is defined as sustained interactions between participants and industry professionals in real or simulated workplace settings.

Intentional career outcomes include pathway-aligned occupational-specific skills and one or more of the following:

  • These experiences foster authentic work experience and develop knowledge, skills, and competencies.
  • Experiences support participants in career exploration and readiness and are intentionally aligned and evaluated with course or training competencies.
  • WBL requires a written partnership agreement and plan between the participant, parent or guardian, school, and employer partner.

Types of Experiences

Micro-Internship

A cross between job shadowing and a full-fledged internship. May run a minimum of 25 hours per experience.

Student Entrepreneurial Experience

An entrepreneurial student business is student developed and -led, usually with a school staff or community mentor. Unlike SBEs, the student entrepreneur is the primary administrator for a business.

Employability Skills Co-Op

Provides an opportunity for students to receive mentored on-the-job training combined with classroom instruction that focuses on employability and transition skills.

Project Based Learning Industry Developed Challenge

An employer mentors a group of students in a class or out-of-school activity as they work on projects connected to an employer's industry or area of expertise.

Workplace Simulation

Mirrors a live workplace setting and may include facilities, inputs, resources, and equipment provided by the employer or the school.

School-Based Enterprise

Enhanced entrepreneurial operations set within a school. The school may provide facilities, inputs, resources, and equipment.

Academic Internship

Internships that meet the definition of work-based learning but don't rely on a CTE background. The experiences often rely on relevant academic coursework like advanced science courses for Healthcare.

Technical Internship

Internships with mentored on-the-job training. It may take the form of a stand-alone capstone, clinicals, or an embedded inside a CTE course

Modern Youth Apprenticeship

Specific state-certified program that integrates schoolbased and work-based learning to instruct students in employability and occupational skills and often extends over the course of two to three years with at least 650 hours of on-the-job training.

Pre-Apprenticeship

A specific type of youth apprenticeship opportunity that is articulated to a registered apprenticeship program.

Registered Apprenticeship Programs

A structured talent development strategy that combines on-the-job learning, classroom learning, and mentorship to train students to gain certification in their field of study.

Learn More

Labor Laws

  • Minors may not be permitted to perform specific occupations and tasks. The U.S. Department of Labor has compliance self-assessment tools and information on federal regulations.
  • The Indiana Department of Labor lists state-specific requirements for youth employment.
  • Consult U.S. Department of Labor Fact Sheet #71 before offering an unpaid internship.

Funding

Employers have several funding opportunities for work-based learning.

  • EARN Indiana offers a 50% wage reimbursement to employers hiring eligible Hoosier high school or college students for work-based learning opportunities.
  • Employers in any high-demand business sector can be reimbursed up to $5,000 for each newly trained, current or new full-time employee, and up to $1,000 for high school students through Employer Training Grants.
  • Employers can receive reimbursement for program expenses from the Indiana Career Scholarship Account program.

Connecting With Educational Institutions

  • Employers can connect with school coordinators at the high school and college level via Work and Learn Indiana by posting an internship opportunity. You can also contact Work and Learn Indiana directly to connect with a local school.
  • Indiana high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) directors can be found in the IACTED directory.

Promoting Your Opportunity

  • Join Work and Learn Indiana for free to post a work-based learning opportunity and connect with candidates. College internships are shared with more than 30 different Indiana college/university job boards.
  • Connect with Ascend Indiana to promote your modern youth apprenticeship.
  • You can post your opportunity on post-secondary institutions’ job boards like Handshake, Twelve Twenty and Symplicity.

Featured Programs

IOT SEAL IT Program

Created in 2005 as part of an effort to consolidate IT organization across Indiana’s state government, IOT is the backbone provider of IT services, support, and policy in the executive branch. In partnership with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development’s Office of Work Based Learning and Apprenticeships, the SEAL IT Program reskills a diverse group of adult citizens into information technology and security careers.

Program Details

Endress+Hauser / ICATT Apprenticeship

Endress+Hauser is a global leader in measurement instrumentation, services, and solutions for industrial process engineering. The apprentice attends IVY Tech Community College two days a week while working for Endress+Hauser three days per week seeking a degree in AAS Advance Automation Robotics Technology (AART). Completing the degree in two years, this equates to 1500 hours of instruction.

Program Details

Commodore Manufacturing

Commodore Manufacturing opened its doors in 2017. It is a student-led manufacturing company that is located within the footprint of Perry Central Community Schools. Perry Central was a recipient of a grant through CELL that allowed staff to travel and see best practices across the country. Students are vendors for Waupaca Foundry (one of the largest employers in Perry County), Boston International, ATTC and other local companies. Students also run their own product lines that they sell to the community.

Program Details
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Featured Events

Work-Based Learning Resources- Virtual Workshop

Educator Employer

6/26/2025 at 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

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Indiana Intern Day

Educator Employer Student

7/31/2025 at 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM

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Fall Employer Work-Based Learning Forum - Fort Wayne, IN

Educator Employer

11/10/2025 at 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

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