What is Work-Based Learning?
Work-Based Learning (WBL) - Activities that collaboratively engage employers and schools in providing structured learning experiences for students.
These experiences focus on assisting students to develop broad, transferable skills for postsecondary education and the workplace.
A quality WBL program can make school-based learning more relevant by providing students with the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to real world situations.
- New York State Education Department Work-Based Learning ProgramsWBL takes place in both the workplace and classroom, thus making career exploration and development easier and more natural by connecting learning in school to the application of that learning in the workplace. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requirements and all federal and state labor requirements must be met for both paid and unpaid WBL programs.
Podcasts
These NY secondary transition podcasts feature practitioners from New York State schools discussing how they approach and implement work-based learning. They serve as an introduction to some of the concepts further explored in the WBL video series.

Videos
These videos provide actual examples of effective WBL taking place in New York State schools.
Full-screen viewing experience works best in the following browsers: Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox & Safari.-
Video: Getting Started
Duration - 10:57 -
Video: Working Together
Duration - 16:57 -
Video: What Does WBL Look Like?
Duration - 10:54
If you have questions about these videos or podcasts, contact info@transitionsource.org.
Implementation Resources
The resources available for download on this page provide information on WBL activities that can be implemented as part of a comprehensive transition program.
Download: The NYS Work Experience Manual - Materials on NYS Work-Based Learning may be found at www.p12.nysed.gov/cte/wbl, including this Work Experience Manual, created by the NYSED Office of Career and Technical Education (CTE).
Download: Work-Based Learning Brief - This brief was created by the Transition Services Professional Development Support Center (PDSC). It provides an overview of work-based learning and a description of the range of evidence-based activities that can be included.
Download: Work-Based Learning Graphic Organizer - The WBL graphic organizer was created by the PDSC as a tool that can be used by educators and students to create a course of study, including age and grade appropriate WBL activities. This open resource may be printed and duplicated for use in schools. Printing specifications are included.